Terra Nova: Cello
By Richard Meyer
Grade: 2
Item: 00-PC-0015033_VC1
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Description
You and your students will love this contemporary, "hip"-sounding, original gem which is sure to be a hit! From the first time they hear the infectious modal melodies, your orchestra will be hooked. The imaginative orchestration gives every section a chance in the spotlight, and the ever-changing time signatures are sure to get everyone counting like never before! The teaching opportunities abound as your students explore low finger patterns (B-flat and F natural), dynamic contrast, accents, syncopation, balance, and rhythmic independence. Wow! 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, Terra Nova: Cello 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 Explorer
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
72
SKU:
00-PC-0015033_VC1
Instrumentation:
string w/ vln3, pno acc
More about this title
About the Composer: Richard Meyer
Richard Meyer brings three decades of string teaching experience to his compositions, having built one of Southern California's largest school orchestra programs from the ground up at Oak Avenue Intermediate School in Temple City. Beyond the classroom, he served as music director of the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra for 16 years, leading performances across North America, Europe, and Australia, while also establishing the nationally recognized "Giving Bach" program to bring interactive concerts to underserved student populations throughout Southern California.
As a composer, Meyer has published over 190 works and arrangements, earning recognition as a best-selling voice in music education. He spent 16 years as string editor for Alfred Publishing Company and co-authored the String Explorer Series alongside other foundational string method resources. His work as a guest clinician at A.S.T.A. conferences, state honor orchestras, and university workshops reflects his commitment to advancing string education across the country.
Why we love this
Meyer writes music that sounds genuinely current without sacrificing accessibility; the modal melodies and syncopated rhythms in Terra Nova feel fresh to young players while staying firmly rooted in Grade 2 technique. Every section gets meaningful material rather than filler, which keeps rehearsals engaged and allows you to build individual musicianship across the entire ensemble.
What to expect
Terra Nova pulses with modern energy from the first phrase. The modal melodies grab you immediately with their direct, unfussy appeal, while the shifting meters keep your attention sharp. Beneath the contemporary surface runs genuine musicality: dynamic swells, syncopated grooves, and balanced orchestration that lets each player contribute something meaningful.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the intermediate level seeking contemporary repertoire that challenges without overwhelming. This works beautifully for ensembles ready to tackle meter changes and independent rhythmic parts while enjoying music that sounds like it belongs to them, not their grandparents' orchestra.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the ensemble on the ever-changing meters by having each section count internally and subdivide consistently; this rhythmic independence is the piece's pedagogical core, so don't rush past it in rehearsal.
- Balance the spotlight moments between sections carefully; since the orchestration gives each part a feature, use these moments to develop confidence in players who don't always carry the melody.
- Shape the modal melodies with dynamic contrast and clear accent patterns; the infectious quality Meyer built in relies on articulation and expression, not just notes in the right order.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece for a winter concert or festival appearance where you want to showcase contemporary writing alongside traditional repertoire. Its contest-appropriate length and fresh sound make it an ideal anchor for a program mixing classic and current string literature, or pair it with another Meyer work to demonstrate thematic coherence.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing changing time signatures (metric modulation awareness)
- Syncopated rhythms and syncopation within ensemble texture
- Low finger patterns on the fingerboard (B-flat and F natural)
- Dynamic contrast and expressive shaping of modal melodies
- Rhythmic independence within the ensemble
- Accent placement and articulation clarity
- Sectional balance and blend in shared melodic passages