Pepperoni Pizza Rock: Violoncello
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 1
Item: 98-PC-DST6281_VC1
$7.00
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Description
Based on a mnemonic device where students learn eighth and quarter notes using the words "pepperoni pizza," this high-energy rock tune includes an optional drum set part along with an easy solo section where students can explore basic improvisation. All students are provided with guide notes in an open solo section, or you can bring in a guest soloist on an instrument of your choice to bring down the house. Highly entertaining! *Recorded with Cathy Morris on electric violin.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Pepperoni Pizza Rock: Violoncello 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:
FJH Beginning Strings
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DST6281_VC1
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages has established himself as a composer and conductor whose work spans orchestral, band, and chamber music with equal fluency. His compositions have been performed by ensembles ranging from professional symphony orchestras to elementary school programs in prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House. He is a recipient of the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association, won the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest for Love and Light, and holds membership in the American Bandmasters Association.
As a conductor, Balmages maintains active guest conducting relationships with all-state and regional ensembles, university orchestras, and professional groups internationally. His appearances have included the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and numerous state music education conferences. Music from his catalog was performed during the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service, and he was commissioned by the University of Miami to compose for the inauguration of the institution's sixth president. He currently serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.
Why we love this
The pepperoni pizza mnemonic is pedagogically brilliant: it makes rhythm reading stick in students' minds through language they already know and find funny. Balmages wraps this teaching moment in genuine rock energy, complete with an optional drum set part and a built-in improvisation opportunity that every student can access without feeling singled out.
What to expect
Pepperoni Pizza Rock bounces with infectious energy and genuine groove. The open solo sections feel like invitation rather than pressure, and the mnemonic device gives younger students a concrete anchor point for understanding rhythm that stays with them long after the concert.
Who it's for
Grade 1 string orchestras and beginning string programs seeking an energizing concert piece that doubles as a rhythm-learning tool. This works equally well for school assemblies, holiday concerts, or any program where you want to remind audiences that learning music should be fun.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythm section (string bass, cello, and optional drums) first. Their steadiness is what lets the melodic instruments stay confident in the groove.
- Have soloists practice their guide notes thoroughly before the performance. Even students improvising need to know their safety net.
- Layer the recording rehearsal time wisely. Use the recorded version to teach style and groove, then transition to playing acoustically so students hear their own sound developing.
- Encourage the drum set player to commit fully to the rock pocket. This piece thrives on attitude, not just precision.
How to use it
Program this as a mid-concert energizer to shift the mood, or place it early to establish that your string program plays music beyond classical tradition. The humor and accessibility make it ideal for family concerts or school assemblies where non-musician audiences need something immediately engaging.
Skills your students will build
- Reading quarter and eighth note rhythms using a memorable mnemonic device
- Playing rock style with forward groove and relaxed articulation
- Improvising within a provided guide note structure
- Ensemble balance in a rhythm-section context with optional drum part
- Confidence in solo performance within a supportive ensemble framework