Grand Mesa Music

Angularity explores rhythmic, harmonic and melodic possibilities of an angular, geometric motif based on a melodic minor scale and minor seventh chord. While the motif creates major/minor ambiguity, t...

Originally published in 1603, this arrangement of Monteverdi's madrigal will expose your students to the bright and stark harmonies of the Italian Renaissance. Cascading suspensions will captivate you...

Haydn Suite for string orchestra is a three movement arrangement of various works by the Austrian composer, Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809), including the 'Surprise Symphony' theme, a piano Minuet, and...

Based loosely on the 1865 novel by Lewis Carroll, this piece captures the fun and mystery of Alice's wonderland experiences. Although the composer's music intentionally does not deal in specifics, we...

The Low Down is a great application of the G major scale for young string players. The piece stays entirely in the range of the lowest octave of G major and has a flowing 'in 2' feel when played more...

Escape is an exciting rhythmic journey in B minor. A recurring motif is introduced in the cello and bass parts and is eventually passed around to every section. This allows the director to teach the l...

No matter how old you are, change is inevitable. Sometimes change is scary, sometimes exhilarating, always emotional. This piece runs through the gamut of feelings through the use of dynamics, tempo c...

Originally written for handbell choir, this string orchestra setting uses dorian mode, very catchy melodies, and infectious asymmetric rhythms to create a compelling and memorable listening experience...

Sinapu is the Ute Indian word for wolf. This composition uses a tenor recorder to help create a Native American ambience, a rock section, splashes of percussion sounds, and strings imitating wolf soun...

Completed the last year of his life, the Mozart Horn Concerto in D Major is full of the exuberant melodic material and spontaneous creativity for which much of Mozart's output is known. This movement...

In her first published work, Wisconsin string teacher Siegler has created an intriguing and engaging work for young strings. This fun and mysterious minor waltz portrays a sense of taking a chance on...

A kaleidoscope of images from a confectionary is here captured in Mr. Bobrowitz's very fun musical excursion. 'Like a kid in a candy shop', this piece will have your students delighting in the aural t...

This light and entertaining piece is written in D Major and is played pizzicato in its entirety. Although a grade 1 piece, 'Popcorn Pizzicato' can be performed and enjoyed by players of any age becaus...

Images of gypsies in celebratory dance around a campfire are easily conjured up when listening to this delightful work that hearkens to eastern Europe. Contrasting the dance-like opening, a more serio...

The three sections of this piece can be said to describe a celebration of a close community of like-minded peoples. Their dedication and singular purpose is represented in the music by just a few simp...

Hoist the sails and cast off with this rollicking hornpipe dance for strings and optional piano. Written to give younger students exposure to changing time signatures and accidentals, On the High Seas...

Written in memory of a beloved orchestra conductor, this gorgeous piece is perfect for any occasion. The piece opens with the theme simply stated in upper strings with a soft accompanying pizzicato os...

Four short movements from the works of Bach are compiled here in a suite that encompasses many of the styles commonly performed in the baroque period. In order, the movements are March, Chorale, Minue...

Romanian Waltz, also known as 'Waves of the Danube', was originally composed for piano and published in Bucharest in 1880. It gained a following in the United States over 60 years later in film and po...

The Wing Glider has a catchy melody that captures the sensation of flight, of soaring through the air with just the sound of rushing air. The sweeping melody, and the 3/4 (in one) tempo, leaves the li...

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's effervescent brilliance and perfection of the classical form are evident in the Divertimento written in 1775 for wind sextet. The informed bowings and fingerings help make th...

Inspired by the music of a ghost show his wife was watching on TV, composer Moore borrowed a fragment of the chord progression he heard coming out of his living room and used it the basis to create th...

O'Grady here has crafted a warm, lyrical piece that explores a variety of emotional nuances. Heart Strings features a passionate main theme that hovers between C major and C Dorian and a contrasting t...

Stephen Foster is said to be the father of American music, and although he tragically passed away at age 38, he left the music world with a legacy of over 200 songs. The arranger has taken two of his...

Quick and lively, Moorish Dance (originally titled 'Dance of the Moorish Slaves') comes at the beginning of Act II of Aida. This well-constructed arrangement would work well as a snappy opener or an e...