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Mississippi Cakewalk: 3rd Violin (Viola [TC])
By Mark Williams
Grade: 1
Item: 00-PC-0000676_VN3
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Description
This entertaining work provides excellent technical practice by utilizing basic unaltered first-position finger patterns. Written in D major with a modulation to G major (and return to D), all sections get a chance to play the lighthearted tune. All parts are played on the G, D, and A strings for a thorough (but easy) eighth-note workout. Correlated with Strictly Strings, Book 1, page 28.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Mississippi Cakewalk: 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 Strictly Strings
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
72
SKU:
00-PC-0000676_VN3
More about this title
About the Composer: Mark Williams
Mark Williams built a prolific career composing accessible, engaging works for young musicians across the United States, Canada, and Australia. A specialist in elementary instrumental music, he authored the Accent on Achievement Band Method alongside composing more than 200 published pieces for band, orchestra, and choir. His compositions earned recognition through the Western International Band Clinic's Gralia Competition and multiple ASCAP Special Awards.
Williams held degrees in music education from Eastern Washington University and spent his teaching career in Washington state, where he shaped generations of young musicians. Beyond composition, he maintained an active performance schedule on bassoon and served as conductor and artistic director for the Spokane British Brass Band. His work as a clinician and guest conductor established him as a trusted voice in music education across multiple regions and instrumental disciplines.
Why we love this
Williams captures the playful spirit of a cakewalk while keeping the technical demands firmly within reach for Grade 1 orchestras. Every section gets a turn with the melody, ensuring no one sits idle, and the straightforward finger patterns build confidence without overwhelming early learners. The correlated placement in the Strictly Strings curriculum makes it a natural fit into your existing sequence.
What to expect
Mississippi Cakewalk bounces with the infectious energy of early 20th-century vernacular music, spirited and unpretentious. The uncomplicated melodies and steady rhythm create an atmosphere of fun rather than strain, inviting musicians to enjoy the ride without wrestling with technical obstacles.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the very beginning of their journey, particularly those following the Strictly Strings curriculum. Students who have mastered first-position basics will find this piece rewarding because it asks them to apply what they know in a genuinely musical context rather than an exercise.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the tempo crisp and bouncy to bring out the dance-like character. A steady eighth-note pulse prevents the piece from dragging and honors the cakewalk's inherent swagger.
- Balance the melody across sections as it passes around the orchestra. When violas or cellos carry the tune, remind them they're leading, not accompaniment.
- Work the modulation to G major as a structural moment. A clear harmonic shift helps young musicians understand key relationships without additional theoretical lesson time.
- Encourage rhythmic precision in the eighth-note passages by subdividing during rehearsal. Clean articulation on the strings keeps the texture light and playful rather than muddy.
How to use it
Slot this into an early-year concert or festival performance where you want to showcase ensemble cohesion and rhythmic confidence without requiring advanced technique. The lighthearted character makes it an ideal opener, or pair it with other Grade 1 works to demonstrate the range of styles your students can handle.
Skills your students will build
- Eighth-note rhythmic precision in first position
- Reading melodic lines across different string instruments
- Playing modulations (D major to G major) with harmonic awareness
- Passing melodies between sections while maintaining stylistic consistency
- Accessing G, D, and A strings with secure intonation