The cheerful  Polka in a version for youth orchestras. Strauss composed his work on a concert tour to St. Petersburg in 1858 and completed it in Vienna, where the premiere took place. A new key and a slightly modified instrumentation make the piece easier without losing its freshness and originality.

Key: GMaj, Level: medium

The fast-polka "Leichtes Blut" was composed for the carnival revue 1867 in the Vienna Volksgarten. Here is a version for youth orchestra in original key with some facilitation.                                

Level: medium

The title "Annen-Polka" refers to the popular 'Annenfest' in Vienna on the occasion of St. Anne's Day on July 26th. Johann Strauss (jr.) composed a polka for this occasion in 1852 and dedicated it to the then empress of Austria, Maria Anna (1803 - 1884). Here is a version for youth orchestras, facilitated by new keys and instrumentation.                                         

Key: CMaj, Level: medium

The original composition for piano for four hands from the composer's early phase in a version for youth orchestra. First of all, a lyrical piece in which the motif of flowing water is translated. Then a merry entry march, followed by a light movement with a modal tendency in three-quarter time. At the end, a dance-like piece that alternates between two quarter and three-eighth bars. Memorable themes, striking rhythms and colourful harmonies define the work. It was facilitated by new keys and other subtleties.

Reduced bundle price!

The motif of flowing water - an important aspect of Impressionism - is represented by numerous 16th notes in various voices. The first main lyrical theme is contrasted by a second thought (rigoroso). The increase in movement in this section ebbens towards the end (resumption of the main theme). A new key and other elements make this beautiful piece suitable for your orchestra.

Key: BbMaj, Level: medium - advanced

This piece, a cheerful march, comes with a springy pace. A bright-sounding theme in the upper voice is contrasted by a falling bass line. In the middle part it calms down a little, in order to rush towards a festive conclusion in the following Da Capo part. The modified key and other subtleties facilitate the piece and make it playable for a youth orchestra.

Key: CMaj, Level: medium - advanced

After a shawm-like introduction by 3 woodwinds the first, slightly modally colored main theme starts in the high strings. Also the 2nd theme has a modal tendency, it is presented in tenor presentation. The altogether lovely piece in three-quarter time ends with the resumption of individual theme fragments in the pianissimo.

Key: FMaj, Level: medium - advanced

This movement begins with a marching, quaternary theme in a two-quarter beat. Later on, it becomes a waltz idea that does justice to the dance title. After a recapitulation of the first theme, the piece ends in an exuberant waltz finale.

Key: CMaj, Level: medium - advanced, duration: 02:48

The Entertainer, published in 1902, is one of Scott Joplin's best-known rags for solo piano. It essentially follows the structure typical for classical Rags typical structure of Rags, introduction AA BB A CC DD. In a version edited for a jazz band, it is used as film music in "The Clou", among other Rags Joplins. Here a version for mixed student ensemble.

Level: medium

One of the first and best known Rags for piano by Scott Joplin for mixed student ensemble. The title allegedly refers to the Maple Leaf Club in Sedalia (Missouri), where the composer worked as a house pianist for several years.

Level: medium - advanced

The well known early piano pieces of the French composer in a version for mixed students ensemble. The melody was set into individual instrument groups in a broken movement, chord instruments play the rhythmic-harmonic accompaniment. The pieces are an effective introduction to Satie's extraordinary sound world.

Level: easy - medium

Inside: Allegro, Hornpipe2, lentement, Aire, Minuet.
The virtous trumpet and horn sections has been facilitated by new keys and some changes. The original is extended in some places (using of clarinets and percussion). The string setting is like the original, the repetitions were orchestrated in different manner to increase their colouring.

Level: medium

You can find the piece in many transcriptions, here a version for youth orchestra. Particularly attractive is the songlike main theme in unconventional rhythmical design. It is contrasted by a second, more conventional theme with an accompaniment in ostinato technique. The instrumentation (little symphonic orchestra) underlines these elements of composition and creates atmosphere. The piece is facilitated by the new key.

Level: medium

Last picture from the famous 'Le Carnaval des animaux' for youth orchestra. The piece starts with the galop, cancelled were the 10 introducting bars. Built in were only the sequences of the "Wild Asses" and the roaring of the lion. The original piano passages were substituted by adequate instrumental figurations. The scoring for chamber-music ensemble was extended to an orchestra. The result is an arrangement, which is in color and vitality equal to the original, but much more easy to play.

Level: medium

The most famous piece of 'Le Carnaval des animaux' for youth orchestra. The melody of the solo cello is played by all strings in three octaves, sometimes shifted by winds. The original piano passages were substituted by adequate instrumental figurations. The scoring for chamber-music ensemble was extended to an orchestra, the key was facilitated. The result is an arrangement, which is in color and vitality equal to the original, but much more easy to play.

Level: easy - medium

The repeated main melody was maintained in the characteristic original xylophone (cue notes in the clarinet). Many piano passages were substituted by adequate instrumental figurations. The scoring for chamber-music ensemble was extended to an orchestra. The result is an arrangement, which is in color and vitality equal to the original, but much more easy to play.

Level: easy - medium

You find the choral like ground melody in the strings, the recurrent cuckoo call was delegated to a wind unison. The scoring for chamber-music ensemble was extended to an orchestra, the key was facilitated. The result is an arrangement, which is in color and vitality equal to the original, but much more easy to play.

Level: easy

The original piano passages were substituted by adequate instrumental figurations. Sixteenth notes of the flutes create motion, Glockenspiel and metallophone make exceptional combination of sounds. The scoring for chamber-music ensemble was extended to an orchestra, the key was facilitated. The result is an arrangement, which is in color and vitality equal to the original, but much more easy to play.

Level: easy - medium

The solo of the bass was substituted by an unison of all strings and by adequate instrumental figurations. The scoring for chamber-music ensemble was extended to an orchestra, the key was facilitated. The result is an arrangement, which is in color and vitality equal to the original, but much more easy to play.

Level: easy - medium

A picture of the extremly tardy moving of these animals. The humour is in the terribel slow tempo of two very quick and well known melodies of Jacques Offenbach. The scoring for chamber-music ensemble was extended to an orchestra. The result is an arrangement, which is in color and vitality equal to the original, but much more easy to play.

Level: easy

Shown are the swift animals of the steppe. Instead of the consistent sixteenth notes in the original, you will find corresponding eighths notes in unison.The scoring for chamber-music ensemble was extended to an orchestra, the key was facilitated. The result is an arrangement, which is in color and vitality equal to the original, but much more easy to play.

Level: easy - medium

The little introduction is followed by a majestic march. Cancelled were the 12 first bars of the original, the chromatic figuration of the pianos (roaring of the lion) is substituted by facilitated strings. The scoring for chamber-music ensemble was extended to an orchestra. The result is an arrangement, which is in color and vitality equal to the original, but much more easy to play.

Level: easy - medium

A selection of 8 suitable pictures and finale for youth orchestra. The original piano passages of high virtuosity were substituted by adequate instrumental figurations. The scoring for chamber-music ensemble was extended to an orchestra. Timpani and percussion instruments can be conveniently played by three players. The result is an arrangement, which is in color and vitality equal to the original, but much more easy to play. Your orchestra and the audience will be excited!

Following extracts are contained: Introduction and Royal March of the Lion, Wild Asses, Tortoises, The Elephant, The Cuckoo in the Depths of the Woods, Aquarium, Fossils, The Swan, Finale.

Level: medium

Reduced bundle price!

A composition from Weber's early period. The setting of the orchestra is a little unusual, the stronger contrasts of the dynamic are remarkable. The beautiful melodic ideas may refer to a former opera called "Das Waldmädchen". The harmony is mostly in classical style, but there are some modulations which are already indicate the Romantic area.

Overall it is a worthwile rediscovery which should be played much more.

Here a new arrangement of all 8 parts of the suite. In comparison to the original you find facilities by new keys, lower pitch ranges, other kind of instrumentation and orchestral setting. The spectrum of the level is from easy to advanced, every movement is also available as single piece. There you will find more descriptions.
This version will surely provide great pleasure to your and your orchestra members.

Reduced bundle price!

Here the wellknown waltz - very difficult as original - in a facilitated version. By some changes of instrumentation and a new key this composition will be playable also for your youth orchestra.

Key: EbMaj, Level: advanced.

Structure and thematic composition are as the original. However cello and double bass were added (Tchaikovsky's bass part only contains divided violas). There are also some changes in the instrumentation and especially the key was tranposed down to GMaj. This is advantageous for the most  instruments (less highest peaks). Furthermore a clarinet 1 & 2 in A is added (ad lib.), where some passages can be played more easily.

Level: advanced

3 little compositions of the French organ master an director of the Paris Conservatory, originally written for piano and instrumentated by himself. This version for youth orchestra leans against the original arrangement. It's facilitated by changed keys and extended instrumentation.

Level: medium-advanced

The Grand Chacony in GMin and the associated Pavane in a version for youth orchestra. The originally four-part piece - probably composed for a quartet of viole da gamba - was colourful differentiated and tonally enhanced by addition of winds and brass. An effective contribution to your Christmas concert!

Level: medium

Both arrangements for youth orchestra are based on 2 pieces for strings, which are originally vocal compositions. By addition of winds a colorful sonic image is formed. The key and the practicability of the second piece is facilitated by transposition.

Level: medium-advanced