10 Awesome Winter Concert Pieces for Intermediate – Middle School Orchestra
For many music directors, the winter concert season has come to a close. While concert season may be done for some, it's good to reflect on selections that went well and were enjoyed by students and audiences alike. In light of that, I wanted to share a few holiday and winter themed pieces for intermediate orchestra that students have consistently loved, year after year.
These are selections that I’ve done with my own orchestra - in some cases again and again - that are accessible and educational. Most pieces recommended here fall between a grade 1.5 - 2.5 with a few grade 3 pieces on the list.
Most of these pieces are in familiar string friendly keys like D major and G major. They also have enough interest for each section of the orchestra so all ensemble sections are challenged and engaged. Additionally, these pieces work on essential skills like double stops, various articulations, pizzicato technique, slurs, and more. Selections like Winter and Trepak introduce students to great master works.
So, here are a few winter pieces that you and your students might enjoy.
Winter Concert Pieces
Deck the Halls as arranged by Elliot Del Borgo
Why: I love this piece and students do also! I do it often with my 6th grade orchestra students and it's always a hit. The piece is very rhythmic and the melody passes around the orchestra.
- D major
- Incorporates the use of double stops and good practice of slurs
- Accessible rhythms
- Melody is passed from section to section
Ding Dong! Merrily On High, arr. by Carrie Lane Gruselle
Why: My 7th and 8th grade orchestra students performed this piece again this year. It is a great arrangement of this classic carol that is exciting and fun.
- D major
- Double stops
- Lots of interest for all sections
- Melody is passed from section to section
- Pizzicato
Winter from "The Four Seasons", arr. by Jeremy Woolstenhulme
Why: This piece is very accessible to students and a great way to teach about Antonio Vivaldi's classic collection of concert grossos, The Four Seasons.
- G major
- Incorporates lots of technical skills while also being very playable and musical
Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, Bach arr. Elliot Del Borgo
Why: Gives students the chance to play this famous piece by Bach in a playable orchestra setting.
- G major
- Challenging, yet accessible for students who have been playing a few years
- 9/8 time
Carol of the Bells arr. Michael Hopkins
Why: An excellent arrangement of this traditional carol that has a bit of a driving and energetic tone.
- Excellent and exciting arrangement of this traditional piece
Out of the Winter by Larry Clark
Why: My students love performing this piece! The first section is in G major which depicts a peaceful winter scene while the second section is a creative contrast with the melody set in the relative minor which adds an element of excitement as it depicts a winter storm.
- G major with a section also in E minor
- Great use of dynamics and articulations and lots of room to teach expressive elements
A Few Other Recommendations
- Trepak from the Nutcracker Suite, arr. Richard Meyer
- Let it Snow, arr. John Caponegro
- Spirit of Hanukkah, John Caponegro
Conclusion
I hope you enjoy these winter concert recommendations.
Do you have any titles that you love to perform with your students?