Pop Hits for the Instrumental Soloist for Strings: Viola Book & CD

These are warm, accessible arrangements of songs built on melody and emotional directness. The viola part sits comfortably in the middle of the ensemble texture, allowing players to support harmony while carrying moments of genuine lyrical beauty.

Viola students at the late beginner to early intermediate stage who want to perform music they recognize and enjoy outside the traditional classical solo repertoire. Teachers seeking to bridge pop culture and instrumental study will find these arrangements motivating for students who might otherwise lose interest in their instrument.

• Use the recorded accompaniment to internalize the harmonic context and song form, since these pop arrangements often rely on groove and phrasing rather than strict classical rhythm.
• Pay attention to dynamic shaping within phrases; pop songs often build energy through subtle crescendos and strategic breaths that differ from Baroque or Classical phrasing conventions.
• Lock into the pulse of the recorded track during early rehearsals to establish the song's feel, then gradually reduce reliance on it as you gain independence and interpretive confidence.

Feature individual selections in student recitals or winter/spring concerts to showcase viola voices in contemporary context alongside traditional classical works. These pieces work especially well as encores or lighter program moments that connect with audiences beyond core classical music listeners.

• Reading and playing in varied keys appropriate to Level 2-3 viola writing
• Phrasing pop-style melodies with attention to song structure and lyrical intent
• Accompanying and blending when playing alongside other string voices in the same series
• Interpreting rhythmic feels and groove sensibility inherent to contemporary popular music
• Building confidence with repertoire that carries cultural relevance outside classical tradition