Tour Of California
by Alan Lee Silva
String Orchestra - Sheet Music

Orchestra String Orchestra - Grade 1.5-2

SKU: CF.FAS46

Composed by Alan Lee Silva. Carl Fischer First Plus String Orchestra Series. Score and Parts. With Standard notation. 8+2+5+8+5+5+3+8 pages. Carl Fischer Music #FAS46. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.FAS46).

ISBN 9780825866739. UPC: 798408066734. 8.5 X 11 inches. Key: G major.

Consisting of gorgeous contemporary harmonic colors combined with beautiful lyric melodies, this Alan Lee Silva piece is one of a kind. It is perfect for contest or concert performance and makes for an impressive show of skill.
Written as an homage to the beauty of the state, Tour of California is a lyrical piece with musical and technical challenges throughout for the young musician. An uplifting piece in AABA form, it begins joyfully with the full ensemble from the start. In general, the A melodies should build gracefully to the sweeping B melody (Chorus) then wind back down to the third A section.The violins and viola carry the A-melody at m. 9, then exchange phrases at m. 21, where violin I has the main tune, and violin II and viola play background lines and fills. The cello has technical challenges in m. 25 and m. 51, and the basses should play their pizzicato parts in m. 10 rhythmically precise to highlight the orchestral color and provide support.The modulation to A major at m. 53 gives the piece a lift in energy as it builds to the grand sustains at m. 66 and on to the lively ending section. Having each section of the group identify when they have the main melody or a background line or support role will be helpful toward a successful performance.