Knick-Knack Variations: Score
By Elliot Del Borgo
Grade: 1.5
Item: 98-DST6055S
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Description
This creative set of variations is based on This Old Man, a tune that all your students will immediately recognize. Beginning with a simple pizzicato statement of the theme, Elliot Del Borgo soon takes students through a slight melodic variation along with a version of the tune in E minor. All instruments get plenty of chances to shine in this fine arrangement from one of the country's most prolific composers.
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Beginning Strings
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-DST6055S
More about this title
About the Composer: Elliot Del Borgo
Elliot Del Borgo is one of the most frequently performed composers in American schools, with a catalog spanning orchestral, band, and choral works that have become staples of music education. His compositions consistently balance musicality with accessibility, allowing young musicians to experience genuine compositional craft without overwhelming technical demands. Del Borgo's gift for melody and orchestration has made him a trusted voice in beginning and intermediate repertoire for decades.
Why we love this
Del Borgo takes a nursery rhyme your orchestra knows by heart and transforms it into a real concert piece, giving every section meaningful material to play. The progression from unison pizzicato through melodic variation and into a minor key version shows students how composers develop ideas, turning a simple tune into something that feels fresh and purposeful. This is the kind of piece that builds ensemble pride because everyone has a moment to lead.
What to expect
The piece opens with a charming, almost playful pizzicato statement that immediately feels familiar and fun. As variations unfold, a subtle sophistication emerges; the melody stretches into new shapes, the harmonic landscape shifts into minor territory, and what began as a children's song becomes a concert-worthy miniature full of color and craft.
Who it's for
This score and parts work beautifully for beginning string orchestras (Grade 1.5) who have solid fundamentals but need repertoire that rewards focused musicianship. Directors programming a concert of light classics or looking to build ensemble confidence will find this piece hits the sweet spot between approachable and genuinely satisfying to perform.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the opening pizzicato articulate and rhythmically precise; these first measures establish the theme's identity before Del Borgo develops it
- Shape the melodic variation with clear phrasing so students hear how the tune transforms while staying recognizable
- Balance the texture in the E minor section carefully, allowing the key change to land as a genuine shift in mood rather than just a transposition
How to use it
Pair this with other novelty arrangements or light classics to create a "variations and transformations" section of a concert, or open a program with it to establish an engaging, audience-friendly tone. The Grade 1.5 level and recognizable tune make it an excellent choice for a family concert or pops-style program where you want to showcase what young musicians can do without losing accessibility.
Skills your students will build
- Playing with consistent pizzicato articulation across an ensemble
- Recognizing and performing melodic variation and development
- Tracking harmonic movement between major and minor keys
- Balancing texture and blend when the melodic line passes between sections
- Sustaining musical line through thematic development