Miniature Suite 1: Viola
From Piece by Piece
By Tom Gerou / arr. Danny Smolenski
Grade: 3
Item: 00-PC-0016890_VA1
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Description
These two delightful and contrasting piano miniatures have been beautifully reimagined for strings. Perfect for concerts and festivals, these lovely pieces contain lush legato passages as well as staccato sections and explore a wide range of dynamics. (4:30)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Miniature Suite 1: Viola 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:
Belwin Concert String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
124
SKU:
00-PC-0016890_VA1
More about this title
About the Composer: Tom Gerou
Tom Gerou has established himself across multiple areas of music: composition, arrangement, and music education writing. His output spans over 160 published works, including foundational texts like the Essential Dictionary of Music Notation and Essential Dictionary of Orchestration alongside original compositions and arrangements. His piano arrangements have become standard repertoire in teaching studios, appearing throughout Alfred's Basic Piano Library collections. Gerou holds a Bachelor of Music degree in composition from the University of Southern California and a Master of Music degree in composition from Yale University.
His work has earned significant recognition, including two Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards for original theatrical music, a Morton Gould Young Composer Award, and multiple commissions from organizations like the North Dakota Music Teachers Association and the Music Teachers National Association. Beyond his published output, Gerou has conducted workshops internationally across the United States, Australia, Canada, Asia, and the Pacific region.
Why we love this
Gerou's gift for writing appealing melodic lines shines through in this arrangement, which captures the elegance of the original piano miniatures while giving string players genuine musical substance. The contrasting movements demand real control over legato phrasing and articulation work, making this an excellent repertoire choice for developing ensemble maturity at the Grade 3 level. The lush harmonic writing and dynamic range keep players engaged without requiring advanced technical facility.
What to expect
Refined and expressive, this suite draws listeners into intimate musical moments of sustained beauty punctuated by lighter, articulated passages. The writing breathes naturally, with enough textural variety to keep an ensemble engaged and an audience interested across the full duration.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the intermediate level seeking accessible yet musically rewarding concert and festival repertoire. Conductors will appreciate music that develops ensemble maturity through lyrical writing and rhythmic clarity without demanding advanced technique from individual players.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the legato passages by thinking of them as vocal lines; encourage singers' breath awareness even in instrumental players to prevent stiffness in the sustained sections.
- Balance staccato articulations carefully across the ensemble. Staccato does not mean detached or rushed; maintain a singing tone even in shortened notes.
- Use the dynamic contrasts as structural signposts. Shifts between pianissimo and forte sections should feel intentional and coordinated, not accidental.
- Work the viola and cello parts with particular attention; these voices often carry harmonic color and should emerge slightly when they have sustained material under busier upper strings.
How to use it
These two contrasting movements work beautifully as a single programmatic unit on a concert or festival appearance, offering audiences an elegant, compact experience. Pair them with a more energetic contemporary work or a baroque orchestral piece to create programming balance, or use the suite as a refined closer to a lighter first half.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining a singing legato tone across bow changes
- Executing clean staccato articulation within an ensemble context
- Responding to dynamic shifts and shaping musical phrases within a full ensemble
- Reading and executing contrasting musical characters within a single work
- Balancing individual voices while maintaining harmonic awareness