Violas in Concert: Classical Collection, Volume 2: Viola Book

Most viola ensemble collections relegate some players to accompaniment figures, but this one distributes the classical masterworks so every violist gets a turn with the tune. The selection of composers (Bach, Beethoven, Dvorák, Seitz) guarantees musical substance without requiring advanced technique, making it ideal for programs that need repertoire both musically serious and accessible.

Playing through these classical arrangements feels like a conversation between equals rather than a solo with accompaniment. The music breathes with the harmonic language of Bach, Beethoven, and Dvorák, but the energy comes from shared ownership of the melodic ideas.

Intermediate viola students in group lessons, school string programs, and community ensembles who are ready for substantial repertoire but need arrangements that keep all players engaged. This book works well for violists at the intermediate Suzuki levels or equivalent reading ability.

• Balance the melody as it passes between parts; mark your part when another viola carries the line so you know when to support rather than lead.
• Use the Federation Festivals recording (if available separately) as a reference for tempo and phrasing, then set your own interpretive choices as an ensemble.
• Work section by section through the arrangements before running full pieces; the equal distribution of material means ensemble cohesion matters more in these charts than in traditional viola parts.

Build a full concert segment around these pieces, alternating arrangements to showcase different classical styles and keep the program fresh. They also work beautifully in a spring festival concert or as pre-festival repertoire where the Federation Festivals recognition adds weight to your programming.

• Shifting between viola positions to access melodic passages across the fingerboard
• Recognizing and executing classical phrase structures from Bach, Beethoven, and Dvorák
• Ensemble balance and communication when the melody moves between parts
• Reading and interpreting dynamic markings and articulations across an ensemble score
• Sustaining longer phrases with consistent intonation in ensemble context