La petite danseuse: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Del Borgo has written a piece that sounds genuine without asking for skills your first-year players don't have yet. The D major tonality and first-position-only fingering keep technical demands light, so the focus stays on ensemble listening, rhythmic precision, and producing a balanced sound. Programming this on a fall concert gives students a real win to build on.

Bright and propulsive. The piece bounces forward with an infectious energy that feels almost dance-like, even at modest tempos. Young players hear their own contribution clearly, which makes the whole ensemble feel alive.

Beginning string orchestras tackling their first concert season. This works beautifully for groups with mixed experience levels, since it sits comfortably in the hand of every string player without leaving more advanced students bored.

• Lock the opening unison figure as your rhythmic anchor. Have the ensemble tap it silently before you start, so the pulse is internalized before the first note sounds.
• Let the repetitive rhythms breathe. Resist the urge to push tempo; the energy comes from clean articulation and committed ensemble playing, not speed.
• Balance the viola and cello lines carefully in the middle sections. Young string players often get lost when they're not carrying the melody, so mark those entrances clearly and give them confidence in rehearsal.
• Check intonation on the D major chord frequently. With limited string positions, tuning slips quickly, so a few seconds of focused vertical listening each rehearsal pays off.

Pair this with a slower, more lyrical piece to show range and contrast on your first concert. Its shortness and accessibility also make it ideal for young audiences or school assemblies where you want to make a strong impression without taxing your ensemble.

• Playing in first position across all four strings
• Maintaining steady ensemble rhythm using repetitive patterns
• Balancing unison and harmonic textures
• Reading and executing D major tonality with confidence
• Responding to conducting cues in energetic tempos