Mantras: String Bass
By Richard Meyer
Grade: 3
Item: 00-PC-0000234_SB
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Description
This fascinating original by Richard Meyer incorporates easy mixed meter, modal scales and driving syncopations to create a level of excitement not often found in works at this grade level. The energetic Allegro sections surround a Largo section of intense beauty. An ideal concert and contest selection. (4:45) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Mantras: String Bass 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 Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
124
SKU:
00-PC-0000234_SB
More about this title
About the Composer: Richard Meyer
Richard Meyer brings three decades of string education experience to his work as a composer and clinician. He spent 22 years building the orchestra program at Oak Avenue Intermediate School in Temple City, California, expanding it from 29 to 200 students, and directed the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra for 16 years, taking ensembles to perform in Vienna, Australia, and Canada. His "Giving Bach" program, launched in 2009, has earned national recognition for using interactive concerts to reach underserved student populations across Southern California.
Meyer's output as a composer reflects his deep understanding of what works in rehearsal and on stage. With over 190 published compositions and arrangements, he served 16 years as string editor for Alfred Publishing Company and co-authored the String Explorer Series and Sight-read It for Strings. He has been invited to clinician roles at the A.S.T.A. National Conference, the Texas Orchestra Directors' Association Conference, and numerous state All-State and Honor Orchestra conducting assignments.
Why we love this
Meyer writes for the level with genuine musical substance. The mixed meters and modal language here feel organic rather than pedagogical, and the syncopated rhythms create the kind of forward momentum that keeps Grade 3 students engaged without overwhelming them. Pairing an energetic Allegro opening with a contrasting Largo section gives your ensemble real dramatic range to explore.
What to expect
Energy and intensity punctuate the Allegro sections, driven by syncopated figures that propel the music forward with a contemporary urgency. The Largo breaks that momentum into something contemplative and sustained, where modal scales create harmonic color and emotional depth that feels mature for the grade level.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the Grade 3 level looking for repertoire that challenges without condescending. Works well for ensembles building confidence with modal harmony and syncopated rhythms while preparing for contest or concert performance.
How to get the most out of it
- Anchor the syncopated figures in the rhythm section first. Lock the bass and cello lines into the driving pulse, then layer the upper voices on top. Once the foundation is solid, the energy lifts naturally.
- Shape the Largo as a true expressive moment. After the Allegro activity, players need permission to slow down emotionally and listen to the modal harmonic colors Meyer sets up.
- Address the mixed meter shifts in sectional rehearsals before full ensemble runs. Highlight where the meter changes and have each section count through transitions independently, then bring sections together.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece for a contest entry or concert slot where you want to showcase ensemble musicianship and range. The contrasting tempos and meters give audiences something memorable, and the 4:45 duration fits cleanly into most concert schedules without overshadowing other works.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing mixed meters (transitions between time signatures)
- Playing with syncopated rhythms against straight pulse in the rhythm section
- Sustaining long tones and shaping expressive lines in modal harmonic contexts
- Balancing ensemble texture across Allegro and Largo sections