In Good Old Colony Times: 3rd Violin (Viola [TC])
In Good Old Colony Times: 3rd Violin (Viola [TC]) Sheet Music Preview

In Good Old Colony Times: 3rd Violin (Viola [TC])

American Folk Song / arr. Bob Phillips

Grade: 1

Item: 00-PC-0000684_VN3
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Description
This easy-to-play and motivational arrangement of the traditional American folk song "In Good Old Colony Times" harkens back to the early days of our country. In his characteristic style, Bob Phillips has created an arrangement that allows every section to play the melody. The tune starts in the cellos and basses, is presented in the second violins and violas and is eventually played by the first violins in a fiddly time setting.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, In Good Old Colony Times: 3rd Violin (Viola [TC]) comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Additional Details
Series: Highland/Etling String Explorer
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 130
SKU: 00-PC-0000684_VN3

More about this title

About the Arranger: Bob Phillips

Bob Phillips

Bob Phillips (b. 1953) built his reputation as a string educator by creating accessible, engaging arrangements that honor both classical traditions and American vernacular music. Over four decades, he has shaped thousands of student musicians through innovative pedagogy, founding the nationally recognized Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic and authoring more than 25 instructional series, including Sound Innovations and the Philharmonic eclectic styles collections. His work has earned ASCAP recognition and regular performances at major conferences including the Midwest Clinic.

Phillips's arrangements reflect his deep understanding of how young orchestras learn and grow. He has conducted all-state ensembles across the country and served as resident conductor for Wintergrass Festival, bringing both technical expertise and genuine musicianship to every score he creates. His teaching legacy extends through instructional DVDs and countless published works performed by student orchestras nationwide.

Why we love this

Phillips's gift for distributing melodic material across the ensemble transforms this folk tune into a teaching moment where every stand gets a featured moment. The progression from lower strings through middle voices to first violins creates natural engagement and builds confidence in younger players who might otherwise sit out the main theme.

What to expect

This arrangement captures the spirit of early American life through a familiar tune that feels both intimate and celebratory. The orchestration allows the melody to breathe as it passes from voice to voice, giving the piece a conversational quality that reflects the folk tradition itself.

Who it's for

Grade 1 string orchestras looking for approachable folk material that teaches melodic responsibility across all sections. This works well for groups ready to move beyond unison playing but still building independence in second violins, violas, and lower strings.

How to get the most out of it

  • Bring out the character shift when the melody moves to each new section; ask the featured group to sing the phrase internally before playing it so the phrasing feels intentional rather than mechanical.
  • Pay attention to the 'fiddly time setting' in the first violin section; this likely includes rhythmic or bowing language that departs from straight classical style, so rehearse that section separately to nail the idiomatic feel.
  • Keep the lower voices engaged during the sections when they don't carry the melody; they anchor the harmonic foundation and should play with full tone even in accompaniment roles.
  • Balance the transitions between sections carefully so the piece flows as one continuous musical statement rather than feeling like a series of solos.

How to use it

Program this early in a concert when energy and audience engagement matter most; folk material appeals broadly and the straightforward Grade 1 scoring means it rarely needs last-minute rehearsal fixes. It also pairs naturally with other Americana selections or with other arrangements from the Highland/Etling String Explorer series, building a cohesive concert section.

Skills your students will build

  • Playing as the featured melodic voice across different instrumental families
  • Maintaining rhythmic independence while accompanying other sections
  • Responding to stylistic cues in folk idiom (the 'fiddly time' element in first violins)
  • Musical phrasing and singing tone in Grade 1 repertoire
  • Ensemble balance and blend across an expanding range of the orchestra

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