Arrangements for Strings

Six Traditional Carols
Arranged by Dale Elmshaeuser

This arrangement offers to string ensembles what others by the same name offer to brasses and to woodwinds, but with still different carols, and in the string idiom. The carols are "O Christmas Tree;" "Away in a Manger" (Tune: Flow Gently, Sweet Afton); "Come, All Ye Shepherds;" "What Child Is This;" "Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella;" and "The First Nowell."

Each carol has a traditional setting and a more varied, alternate setting. They can be played as instrumental suites, or separately, to accompany group singing. The instrumentalists can play alone, or the organist can join in, reading from the Conductor/Keyboard Score.

This arrangement can be played by as few as four instruments (typically I & II Violins, Viola, and Cello). The Cello part can of course, be augmented with or replaced by Double Bass, reading from the same score. Parts are included for upper Viola and upper Cello, so that quartets can be formed in different ways, or various doublings may be made for larger ensembles. In addition, parts for I, II & III Clarinets and for F Horn are included, so that substitutions can be made for missing stringed instruments. The difficulty level is 3.

Full set includes a Conductor/Keyboard Score, transposed parts for individual instruments, and suggestions for rehearsal and performance.