South County Sketches: 1st Violin
By Brendan McBrien
Grade: 4
Item: 00-PC-0016453_VN1
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Description
Depicting stunning points of interest, the history, and the geology from southern Orange County, California, this piece takes the listener on a musical tour of three of the composer's favorite places. Students and audiences will enjoy the strong, confident themes, and lush colorful writing in this original work. (3:10) 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, South County Sketches: 1st 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 Full Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
216
SKU:
00-PC-0016453_VN1
More about this title
About the Composer: Brendan McBrien
Brendan McBrien began his musical journey as a fourth-grade French horn student in Sunnyvale, California. He earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in music composition and conducting from California State University, Long Beach, then spent over three decades performing French horn with orchestras across Los Angeles and Orange County, including major film and television studios. This dual career as performer and composer informed his distinctive approach to orchestration and accessibility.
McBrien has been a fixture in Southern California music education since 1988, currently directing bands and orchestras at Rancho San Joaquin Middle School while teaching music arranging at Cal State Long Beach. His compositions and arrangements appear in catalogs from Alfred, Kendor, Kjos, and Wingert-Jones, performed by ensembles worldwide. He has adjudicated numerous festivals, conducted honor groups, and served four terms on the board of the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association, earning Middle School Teacher of the Year honors from Irvine Unified School District.
Why we love this
McBrien's orchestration skills shine through every measure of this Grade 4 work. The piece balances accessibility with genuine musical substance, offering directors authentic thematic material and colorful instrumental combinations that reward careful rehearsal without requiring virtuosic technique.
What to expect
A musical postcard from the California coast. Brendan's themes arrive with warmth and directness, painting scenes through lush harmonic color and instrumental layering rather than flashy effects. The piece invites listeners into specific places with the affection of someone who knows them well.
Who it's for
Grade 4 orchestras seeking repertoire that combines programmatic appeal with genuine musical craftsmanship. Directors will appreciate how the familiar Orange County setting engages students while the strong thematic writing and accessible orchestration build confidence in young ensemble players.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the opening thematic material establish a confident, unhurried foundation. This piece unfolds best when directors resist rushing the early statements, giving the ensemble time to voice each section clearly.
- Balance the full ensemble textures by checking that inner voices aren't buried. McBrien's writing distributes melodies across woodwinds, brass, and strings, so ensure second violin and middle woodwind parts project appropriately.
- Use the variety of key centers and timbral shifts between movements to create clear sectional contrast. These moments of reorientation help younger musicians maintain engagement across the full duration.
- Shape the lush harmonic passages with attention to dynamic control. The piece relies on color rather than extreme dynamic range, so work for consistency in the band's ability to sustain and blend chords.
How to use it
This works equally well as a concert opener or festival offering, with the three-minute duration fitting neatly into most concert formats. Consider pairing it with other regional or geographic-themed works to build a thematic program, or program it alongside contemporary chamber works that share McBrien's accessible modern aesthetic.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing ensemble texture with independent inner voice clarity
- Sustaining consistent tone color across shifting harmonic areas
- Reading contemporary harmonic language and key center shifts
- Responding to programmatic cues while maintaining musical phrase architecture