Pastorella: 2nd Violin
By Richard Meyer
Grade: 2
Item: 00-PC-0016008_VN2
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Description
Using all the colors of the string orchestra, this charming Spanish-flavored piece features melodic material for every instrument. Two contrasting tunes, one for high voices and one for low, are introduced and then woven together. Including all the basic characteristic 6/8 rhythms, this is a perfect way to introduce your students to this too-often neglected meter. Some fun hand-clapping accompaniment, a violin solo, and a duet for first stand violins add interest and variety to this selection in a genre that has become a real favorite with students and audiences! 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, Pastorella: 2nd Violin 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-0016008_VN2
More about this title
About the Composer: Richard Meyer
Richard Meyer spent 35 years teaching strings at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in California public schools. At Oak Avenue Intermediate School in Temple City, he grew the orchestra program from 29 students to 200 over 22 years while also directing the city's elementary string program. He led the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra for 16 years, taking ensembles on tour to New York, Washington D.C., Vienna, Australia, and Canada.
Beyond the classroom, Meyer has established himself as a prolific composer with over 190 works and arrangements published. He served as string editor for Alfred Publishing Company for 16 years and co-authored several string method books, including the String Explorer Series and Sight-read It for Strings. His "Giving Bach" program, launched in 2009, uses interactive concerts to reach special needs and underserved students throughout Southern California and has earned national recognition. He has guest-conducted All-State orchestras in multiple states and been a featured clinician at major music education conferences.
Why we love this
Meyer understands exactly what intermediate string orchestras need: rewarding material that teaches real skills without overwhelming players. The combination of contrasting melodic lines, accessible 6/8 rhythmic language, and built-in solo opportunities gives every section something to sink their teeth into while keeping rehearsal time focused and productive.
What to expect
Pastorella captures the warmth and rhythmic vitality of Spanish folk idiom without demanding virtuosity. The easy back-and-forth between high and low string voices creates a conversational energy, while the hand-clapping moments and violin features invite playfulness and engagement from every player in the ensemble.
Who it's for
Grade 2 string orchestras working to build ensemble cohesion and expand metric vocabulary. This piece works equally well for beginning orchestras seeking festival material and intermediate groups looking for accessible Spanish-flavored repertoire with substance.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the 6/8 pulse early by conducting the dotted-quarter beat; students often rush the two sixteenths, so lock that subdivision in before adding the melodic material.
- Use the hand-clapping accompaniment sections as a chance to strengthen rhythmic independence in your ensemble; highlight which players maintain the steady pulse while others carry the melody.
- Balance the high and low melodic material equally, even though the contrasting tunes share the same harmonic space; each line deserves clarity so the weaving effect lands as intended.
- Give the first violin soloists and duet players extra rehearsal time in sectionals; these moments are confidence-builders and will shine with just a bit of polish.
How to use it
Program this as a festival or contest entry where its Grade 2 level meets adjudication standards while its musical personality sets your orchestra apart. It also works beautifully in a concert celebrating Latin or world music traditions, paired with pieces in contrasting styles to show your program's range and depth.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing 6/8 meter with compound rhythmic patterns
- Playing contrasting melodic lines simultaneously while maintaining textural balance
- Executing rhythmic accompaniment figures (hand-clapping parts) independently from melody
- Executing solos and small ensemble passages with confidence and musical expression
- Listening for and responding to Spanish-flavored harmonic language and idiom