Regal Overture Intense

Regal Overture Intense"Regal Overture", composed by Michael Hopkins, is a fast, exciting young string work in G major. It features a very catchy melody, and all of the instruments have challenging and interesting parts. String crossings, arpeggios, pizzicato, and a great deal of dynamic contrast all come into play in this exciting yet very playable new work.

the tempo gets fast (bar 14) and we hear pulsating rhythmic figures that mark the start of the quake

In 4/4 time throughout

The use of the Locrian and Phrygian modes in D and G provide students with a "low one" finger pattern workout and there's even some basic bariolage for the second violins and violas

and 15 beats per measure

The easy optional percussion parts add great dimension to the Latin feel of this piece

"Spanish Dance"

change is inevitable

The first movement (lowered a whole step from the original key and edited by the arranger) provides a wonderful virtuosic showcase for four solo cellos and string orchestra

was originally composed for piano and published in Bucharest in 1880

the solo piano leads to a melancholic melody in the violins

It is also a great tool for teaching young players about bow distribution

and this piece by David Bobrowitz captures the beauty and mystery of this cosmic body