| 57776 | Arco Polo for Multilevel Orchestra |
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| Koller, Ingrid |  Score
 mp3 audio
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| Category: String Orchestra; String Orchestra w/solo |
| Grade: Medium |
| Duration: 2:00 |
| Instrumentation: str=8.8.5.5.5,(adv str=2.0.2.2.0) |
| Comments: Grades ME-M. Includes optional improv section. |
| Description: This engaging piece for string orchestra is appropriate for any time of the year, but would be especially fun for a summer orchestra concert. Arco Polo is the musical depiction of the well-known swimming- pool game “Marco Polo.” The piece begins tutti pizzicato, but then the instruments “call out” to each other using their bows. Students and audience members can listen for the following: The calling and answering (sections take turns), playful splashing (grace notes between letter C and letter D and also at the end), the annoyance of the violin sections when their calls are not answered (letter G), and the underwater response of the cellos and basses (near the end). This is a multi-level piece which makes it a practical choice for an orchestra which has students at varying skill levels. At its core, it is a level 1.5 piece and can stand alone as such, but with the addition of the advanced violin, viola, and cello parts it becomes even more challenging and fun. For yet another layer of fun, there is an optional improvisational section (between D and E) where students are randomly (perhaps secretly) selected to be the “caller” and the rest of the orchestra answers. As an extra surprise for the orchestra and audience as well, an audience member could be cued to literally call out to the orchestra. |