Petite Suite Française: Cello
I. On Y Va! (Here We Go), II. Les Cloches de la Vallée (The Bells in the Valley), and III. Chanté Avec Moi (Sing with Me)
By Douglas E. Wagner
Grade: 1
Item: 00-PC-0018636_VC1
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Description
Petite Suite Française by Douglas E. Wagner is an original work of three short movements, each of which is cast in the style of a French folk song, though no specific tunes are quoted. The music is easy to grasp for younger players, and the diversity in style and scoring techniques will engage players to perform their best. Movements include: "On Y Va! (Here We Go!)," "Les Cloches de la Vallée (The Bells in the Valley)," "Chanté avec Moi (Sing with Me)." Total duration is 5:15.
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Sample Audio
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1 Petite Suite Française: I
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2 Petite Suite Française: II
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3 Petite Suite Française: III
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1 Petite Suite Française: I
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Sample Video
Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Beginning String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
128
SKU:
00-PC-0018636_VC1
More about this title
About the Composer: Douglas E. Wagner
Douglas E. Wagner studied music at Butler University, earning both undergraduate and graduate degrees before spending three decades as a high school music director and administrator in the Chicago area. Since 1973, he has published over 3,500 compositions across nearly every ensemble type: choir, band, orchestra, handbell ensemble, organ, piano, and voice. His works have reached audiences through concert performances, television, radio, and international broadcasts, with sales exceeding seventeen million copies.
Wagner's prolific output reflects a deep understanding of what young musicians can achieve at each level. Now based in Indianapolis, he continues to compose music that balances accessibility with genuine musical substance, making his work a standard in school music programs nationwide.
Why we love this
Wagner crafts three distinct French-inspired movements that feel fresh without requiring players to master complex technique. The variety in scoring keeps young orchestras engaged across the full five minutes, and each movement offers a different pedagogical angle, making this an ideal choice for festivals or young soloist showcases where you need repertoire with genuine character at Grade 1.
What to expect
Petite Suite Française evokes the charm of village life through three interconnected musical moments. The opening movement bustles with energy, the second settles into a lyrical, bell-tinged meditation, and the finale returns with warmth and song, creating an arc that feels complete in under six minutes.
Who it's for
Grade 1 string orchestras ready for concert and festival programming with genuine musical substance. This works for younger players just developing ensemble cohesion, as well as community orchestras and youth string programs seeking repertoire that sounds polished without excessive rehearsal time.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening movement's rhythm with clarity; even at this level, the French folk character depends on articulation that supports the melodic contour rather than flattening it.
- Balance the bell imagery in the second movement by bringing out inner voices when the main melody rests. Young players often forget texture exists in simpler scores.
- Bring the singers in the third movement (whether you add them or hear them in the orchestration) into the final rehearsals with the full group so the ensemble learns to blend confidently with voices.
How to use it
Program all three movements together as your opening number to establish an approachable, international tone for a concert, or select individual movements as palate cleansers between heavier works at a festival. The piece also pairs naturally with other Belwin Beginning String Orchestra selections if you are building a program around Grade 1 repertoire.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining tone over multiple measures without breath breaks
- Articulation clarity that shapes phrases rather than obscures them
- Dynamic balance between melody and accompaniment figures
- Reading French-character rhythmic patterns and idioms
- Responding to conductor direction in contrasting tempos and moods within a single work