7 Pieces Students Love for Intermediate – Middle School Orchestra

It can be challenging choosing the right music for an ensemble. It’s a balancing act finding music that will suit a developing orchestra - music that will both develop their technique and musicianship as well as capture their interest and be achievable by concert time. 

After being a school orchestra director for the past 13 years, I’ve found some pieces that students consistently love and enjoy performing. Additionally, they are rich in teachable concepts that will help to develop your young string players. All pieces feature compelling melodies, rhythmic interest, and enough musical concepts to keep all sections of the orchestra busy!

So, here are a few of my suggestions for an intermediate/middle school orchestra - students who have been playing a few years and are still developing their basic skill set. Most of the pieces listed below fall between the 1.5 - 2 grade level making them highly approachable for students.

Dragonhunter

Why: A total classic! A favorite of all my students. Written by Richard Meyer with rich parts for every section of the orchestra. 

• E dorian
• Compelling melody which is found in all sections of the orchestra
• Arco and pizzicato technique
• Accessible range 
• Rhythmic

Burst!

Why: Another piece written by Brian Balmages that my students have loved. Brian Balmages is a fantastic writer and students consistently love performing his pieces. A second runner up would be Spartacus.

• E minor
• Compelling melody which gets passed between the violin 1 and violin 2 and viola sections
• Exciting rhythmic ostinato in the cello and bass 

Viking

Why: Soon Hee Newbold has written so many excellent pieces for orchestra. Among student favorites are Medieval Kings, Storm, Voyager, Gaelic Castle, and Viking. 

• A minor
• Marcato and legato articulations
• Exciting melody and rhythmic accompaniment in the cello and bass

Brandenburg Concerto No. 3/Meyer

Why: An approachable arrangement of this masterwork by Johann Sebastian Bach. The Merle Isaac arrangements are classics, but slightly more difficult than this arrangement by Richard Meyer. If you want something a little easier for students to master, but still keep the integrity of the original - this is a great rendition. 

• G major
• Excellent counterparts and a lot to keep each section of the orchestra busy

The Red Lion

Why: Written by Jeremy Woolstenhulme - I performed this with my 6th grade orchestra for the first time last year and they loved it! An exciting piece that my students can’t stop playing. 

• D dorian
• Teaches double stops 
• Simple rhythms
• Interesting and dark minor melody that gets passed between the violin, viola, and cello section

Fiddle O’Finnegan

Why It’s Great: Catchy fiddle style tune written by Keith Sharp. 

• E minor
• Teaches 16th notes and slurs
• Interesting parts for all sections
• Gives students the chance to play in a fiddle style

Conquistador!

Why: Rhythmically driving piece that also teaches latin rhythms by Deborah Baker Monday. 

• A minor
• Driving A section with a contrasting slower B section
• Interesting parts for all sections of the orchestra

Other excellent composers to check out would be Eliot Del Borgo, Doris Gazda, Katherine Griesinger, Doug Spata, Larry Clark, Alan Lee Silva, John Caponegro, and so many more.

Suggestions for Finding Great Pieces

Selecting pieces for ensembles that students will love takes time. Here are some suggestions for how to find great pieces:

• Listen on sheet music sales platforms like JW Pepper
• Read reviews
• Join orchestra teacher forums and social media groups for orchestra directors
• Find state music lists and discover which pieces are recommended
• Ask colleagues for recommendations and pieces they love 
• Connect with other directors in your local region honors orchestra network or state music educators organization
• Check out ASTA and their string teacher forum 

Conclusion

These are just a few pieces my students have loved over the years and that I’ve enjoyed teaching. There are so many fantastic and rich arrangements that I haven’t mentioned - so perhaps I’ll do a follow up post. 

What pieces do you love to perform with your students?