Coming of Age
by Sean O'Loughlin
String Orchestra - Sheet Music

Orchestra Cello, Contrabass, Piano, Viola, Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3 - Grade 2

SKU: CF.YAS77

Composed by Sean O'Loughlin. FS - SWS. Young String Orchestra. Set of Score and Parts. With Standard notation. 16+4+16+10+10+10+6+16 pages. Carl Fischer Music #YAS77. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.YAS77).

ISBN 9780825869648. UPC: 798408069643. 8.5 X 11 inches. Key: D major.

Coming of Age is an exciting work for the young string orchestra. This piece features creative accents on traditionally weaker beats that simulate a multi-metered Latin feel. Elegant and classical in nature, Coming of Age will provide some excellent teaching opportunities. With a cinematic flavor, this work hearkens back to the style of music found in the golden age of movies.
Coming of Age is an exciting work for the developing string orchestra. It features some creative accents on traditionally weaker beats that simulate a multi-metered Latin feel. It also is elegant and classical in nature, which will provide some excellent teaching opportunities. The piece isan original work that reflects my love of movies that are set in the past. They are often referred to as “period pieces.” I also enjoy montage scenes, which I envisioned this piece to be.The music opens with a rhythmic figure that is the foundation of the entire work. The accents are placed to create a 3/4,3/4, 2/4 metered feel. I kept the meter in to 4/4 provide a teaching opportunity for accents on weaker beats. The celli and bass enter with notes on weaker beats to furtheremphasize this concept. I enjoy pairing two sets of meters at the same time to create a light, floating feel to the music. It allows it to soar. This is first captured at m. 9, where the violins and violas continue the mixed-meter feel, while the celli and basses are playing in a constant 2/4. Theythen switch to a 3/4 feel at m. 13 which creates even more interest. The opening motive returns at m. 17 to conclude the introduction and prepare us for the presentation of the main melody.This melody gets passed around quite a bit throughout the section at m. 24. The celli and basses have an important line at m. 49 that answers the intensity of the violins and violas. The pairing of meters returns at m. 52. We move to a new development of the rhythmic idea at m. 72. I wanted to create some space in the piece here, since a lot of the piece is filled with a fair amount of eighth notes. Cherish these brief moments of silence. The main melody soars over the rhythmic idea in m. 90. Bring out the interplay between the first violin and cello. The recapitulation of all the elements of the piece starts at m.101. This energy should continue to the triumphant, and resounding ending.

About Carl Fischer Young String Orchestra Series

This series of Grade 2/Grade 2.5 pieces is designed for second and third year ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:
--Occasionally extending to third position
--Keys carefully considered for appropriate difficulty
--Addition of separate 2nd violin and viola parts
--Viola T.C. part included
--Increase in independence of parts over beginning levels