ORIGINAL STRING GROOVE ENSEMBLES

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Edgar Gabriel has written many ensembles for student and professional ensembles and is always writing new ones. Here are ensembles you can purchase or just enjoy the performances of other student's performances. 

"Brother Ray" s a 16 Bar Blues. It is inspired by Ray Charles, whom Edgar Gabriel had the honor to work with in the 1990’s. The piece was originally written for String Quartet. When performing with a string ensemble, double stops are not necessary and the parts can be divided. Improvisation is required for this piece. Grade 3.

Watch Lincoln High School Orchestra with Edgar Gabriel under the direction of Monica Hrudik and Joan Geraldson perform Brother Ray. 

"La Cuerda Caliente" is an original Mambo for full orchestra. The other String Groove ensembles are for String Orchestra. This work is scored for strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion and piano, Grade level 4. Watch the Elmhurst College Philharmonic perform La Cuerda Caliente. 

"Civic Blues" is a String Ensemble work in the Big Band Swing Tradition. It is a minor blues that transitions into Latin Jazz at the bridge. An optional drum part is included. Civic Blues is for advanced middle-school, high school, or professionals who want to add some jazz to their repertoire. Grade Level 3.5. Watch the Vernon Hills High School Jazz Strings with Edgar Gabriel under the direction of Frank Lestina perform Civic Blues. 

"The Heartland Breakdown" is a Country Fiddle Hoe-Down for string quartet or string ensemble. This piece can be performed with improvisation or without. After the themes are stated, each player can play the solo provided in the part, or improvise their own solo. “The Heartland Breakdown” is for advanced middle-school, high school, or professionals who want to add some fiddling to their repertoire. First violins briefly reach fifth position. Grade Level 3.5. Watch the Vernon Hills High School Jazz Strings with Edgar Gabriel under the direction of Fran Fatta, perform The Heartland Breakdown. 

"Irish Whiskey" is an Irish jig written for a string quartet. It also sounds wonderful as a string ensemble. It can be performed with or without  improvisation. “Irish Whiskey” is for advanced middle-school, high school, or professionals who want to add an Irish Jig to their repertoire. First violins briefly reach fifth position. Grade Level 3.5. Listen to the Third Coast String Quartet perform Irish Whiskey. 

"Blue Bows" is an ensemble arrangement for String Orchestra or String Quartet of a Jazz Blues in the book “String Groove, Ideas For Improvising.” The piece requires jazz swing blues improvisation in G. Grade 2. Watch Lincoln High School Orchestra with Edgar Gabriel under the direction of Monica Hrudik and Joan Geraldson. 

"The Blarney Stone" is another is another ensemble arrangement for String Orchestra or String Quartet of a song in the book “String Groove, Ideas For Improvising.” This is an easy jig that kids love. It can be played with or without improvisation.  Irish music for Elementary String Orchestras 

"Fiddle Twinkle" is country fiddle variations of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" in the key of D. This string quartet or ensemble piece is designed for students at the beginner level to play a piece they know with students at higher levels in a fiddle style. Grade level 1-2

"Besame Mucho" is a  violin piano arrangement of written for the concert violinist or accomplished student who would like to add a wonderful popular Latin song to their repertoire. The violin part carries the melody embellished with double stops, left hand pizzicato and other extended techniques. The written piano score provides a rhumba rhythm to accompany and enhance violin part. A short solo is also written into the piano part. For convenience, the chord changes are provided in the piano score.

"Theme and Variations for Solo Rock Violin" is a solo violin work for the very advanced student or professional. This piece was written for violinist Rachel Barton Pine. Edgar wrote this as Rachel requested a solo rock work for acoustic violin. Listen to Rachel Barton Pine perform Theme and Variations for Solo Rock Violin. 

Dancing in the Air for String Orchestra is an original rock dance piece. Originally written for violin & viola this piece was arranged for Hawthorn Middle School String Orchestra Grade level 4. The piece can be performed with or without improv with the written out solos. Watch Hawthorn middle School perform this piece South under the direction of Samantha May. 

These dances were written for the need for more new repertoire for violin & viola. Edgar wrote these for Ai Ashida Melby to perfom and also perform with students. Grade 4+. Look for more duos in the future. 

From Three Dances for Violin and Viola. Dancing in the Air was originally written for Violin and Viola for Ai Ashida Melby to perform with Edgar.  

From Three Dances For Violin and Viola. 

From Three Dances for Violin and Viola