A Step Around
A Trio of Debussy for Quartet
Claude Debussy ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
The three works in this arrangement are contrasting, and are perhaps not as well-known as some of Debussy’s other works. The first Minstrels was written in the years just before WW1, and the many changes of tempi and mood provide interest for both the performers and audiences. The second piece Le Petit Berger is a relaxed reflective piece, exploring the sonorities of the instruments. The final piece Danse Bohémienne is a very lively composition that was written in 1880 whilst Debussy lived in Russia, and the dance-like elements were influenced through the vitality of some Polish dances. (Grade 6-8)
[SATB]
After the Sun
Melanie Thorne
A tango based quartet including many different styles. (Grade 5-8)
[SATB]
Air’em Scar’em
J S Bach ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of the Air from Bach’s Suite No. 3 in D. A straight
opening which then moves into a swing arrangement. (Grade 4-6)
[SATB]
Allegro from Vespers
Claudio Monteverdi ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An Impressive opener for concerts. (Grade 4-5)
[AAAT]
Badinerie Bites Back
J S Bach ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of the famous Badinerie from Suite No 2
in B Minor. (Grade 5-6)
[SATB]
Christmas 2010
Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
A Christmas arrangement with a variety of styles including Swing.
The titles in the Medley are ‘Joy to the World’,
‘Good King Wencelslas’, ‘Wassail Song’ and ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’.
(Grade 4-6)
[AAAT]
Christmas is Coming
Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
A medley of Christmas favourites including ‘In Dulce Jubilo’,
‘The Coventry Carol’ and ‘Deck the Hall’. (Grade 4-5)
[AAAT]
Christmas is Coming
Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
A medley of Christmas favourites including ‘In Dulce Jubilo’,
‘The Coventry Carol’ and ‘Deck the Hall’. (Grade 4-5)
[SAAT]
Christmas Lights
Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
This has been arranged to be performed as individual items or as
a complete medley. It includes ‘Once in Royal’, ‘The Holly and the Ivy’,
‘Silent Night’ and ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’. (Grade 1-3)
[AAAA/TTTT]
Christmas Lights
Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
This has been arranged to be performed as individual items or as
a complete medley. It includes ‘Once in Royal’, ‘The Holly and the Ivy’,
‘Silent Night’ and ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High’. (Grade 1-3)
[SAAB]
Contrasting Moods
Pamela Campanelli
‘Contrasting Moods’ is both fun to listen to and play. Each movement includes melodies that entice the listener through a sophisticated structure. There are five contrasting movements that include a funk style, folk style, canon structure (in the most musical sense), shanty style and the last movement contains fast, short bold phrases using canon and variations. In short, there should be something for everyone! (Grade 6-8)
[SATB]
Country Garden
Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of this famous folk tune, incorporating many
popular styles, including a swing-jazz element. (Grade 4-6)
[SATB]
Country Garden
Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of this famous folk tune, incorporating many
popular styles, including a swing-jazz element. (Grade 4-6)
[AAAT]
Country Garden
Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of this famous folk tune, incorporating many
popular styles, including a swing-jazz element. (Grade 4-6)
[SAAB]
Have we met Somewhere before?
Melanie Thorne
A lively quartet written in a jazz style Rondo form. (Grade 6-8+)
[SATB]
How Harmonious is this?
G F Handel ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
A set of variations based on the Harmonious Blacksmith by Handel.
Two variations are in a swing style and the final variation requires
fluency in scales! (Grade 5-8)
[SATB]
Just a Quartet
Melanie Thorne
A three movement quartet exploiting different styles from Jazz
through to contemporary. (Grade 6-8)
[SATB]
Just a Quartet
Melanie Thorne
A three movement quartet exploiting different styles from Jazz
through to contemporary. (Grade 6-8)
[AATT]
Little Brown Jug
Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
A set of variations on this well-known tune, includes swing and
hoe-down styles. (Grade 4-5)
[AAAA/TTTT]
Little Brown Jug
Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
A set of variations on this well-known tune, includes swing and
hoe-down styles. (Grade 4-5)
[AAAT]
Ludwig’s 5th
Ludwig van Beethoven ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
A not-so irreverent arrangement of the 1st movement of Beethoven’s
5th Symphony. It is very recognizable with some rock-style sections
and an interesting Baritone part. (Grade 6-8)
[SATB]
Ludwig’s 5th
Ludwig van Beethoven ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
A not-so irreverent arrangement of the 1st movement of Beethoven’s
5th Symphony. It is very recognizable with some rock-style sections
and an interesting Baritone part. (Grade 6-8)
[AAAT]
Made in England
Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of three English folksongs in various styles. (Grade 4-6)
[SATB]
Made in England
Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of three English folksongs in various styles. (Grade 4-6)
[AAAT]
Made in Ireland
Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
A challenging medley of traditional Irish melodies. (Grade 4-6)
[AAAT]
Made in Ireland
Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
A challenging medley of traditional Irish melodies. (Grade 4-6)
[SATB]
Made in Scotland
Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
A medley of Scottish tunes, arranged in many different styles, ranging from the traditional through to jazz. (Grade 5-6)
[SATB]
Moniaive Madness
Melanie Thorne
Two contrasting movements written in jazz swing style. (Grade 4-6)
[AAAT]
Moniaive Madness
Melanie Thorne
Two contrasting movements written in jazz swing style. (Grade 4-6)
[SATB]
Nuts! It’s a Cracker
Peter Tchaikowsky Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of five movements of the Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikowsky. There are several different styles included and a twist from the original for some of them. There is melodic interest in all four parts. Grade 6-8
[SATB]
Pagrietto
Niccolo Paganini ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
A set of variations on the famous theme by Paganini. (Grade 4-6)
[AAAT]
Phew – what an Invention!
J S Bach ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
Two of Bach’s Inventions are still recognizable with an element of humour.
(Grade 6-8)
[SATB]
Phew – what an Invention!
J S Bach ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
Two of Bach’s Inventions are still recognizable with an element of humour.
(Grade 6-8)
[AATT]
Ragaround
Melanie Thorne
Three rag-based quartets which would provide excellent
material for a concert. The third rag – Boogie Rag – contains some
very catchy rhythms and tunes. (Grade 5-6)
[AAAT]
Rialto Ripples
George Gershwin ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
‘Rialto Ripples’ was composed in 1917 and is George Gershwin’s first published instrumental piece – it is also his only piano rag. This is a fun piece to play and clearly demonstrates Gershwin’s emerging style. (Grade 5-6)
[SATB]
Rondo a la Caccia
A Vivaldi ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
A lively arrangement of this lyrical movement ‘Autumn’ from
‘The Four Seasons’. (Grade 4-6)
[SATB]
Sicilienne
Gabriel Fauré ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of the famous Sicilienne by Gabriel Fauré which requires
a real understanding of ensemble playing, with interweaving melodic lines
and dove-tailing accompanying figuration. (Grade 6-8)
[SATB]
Sample Score
Skitch-Skatch
Melanie Thorne
A quartet consisting of three separate movements, giving each
player a challenge in solo and ensemble playing. (Grade 5-6)
[AATT]
Skitch-Skatch
Melanie Thorne
A quartet consisting of three separate movements, giving each
player a challenge in solo and ensemble playing. (Grade 5-6)
[SATB]
Skitch-Skatch
Melanie Thorne
A quartet consisting of three separate movements, giving each
player a challenge in solo and ensemble playing. (Grade 5-6)
[AAAT]
Skitch-Skatch
Melanie Thorne
A quartet consisting of three separate movements, giving each
player a challenge in solo and ensemble playing. (Grade 5-6)
[SAAB]
Something New
Melanie Thorne
Two contrasting movements. The first is a fast and rhythmic
movement with some Latin influence. The second has more of a
bluesy feel and then progresses into a faster swing-style. (Grade 5-8)
[SATB]
Sounds of Solway
Melanie Thorne
This quartet is written to reflect the changing weather and the history of the Solway. It consists of 3 movements. The 1st movement is reflective; the 2nd movement includes a traditional tune from Cumbria and also from Scotland and the tempo is driven by fast rhythmic motives; the 3rd movement describes the often turbulent weather which can be followed by an eerie calmness over the water. (Grade 6-8) [SATB]
Stuck in the Groove
Stuck in the Groove
Stuck in the Groove
Stuck in the Groove
Suite P’s
Pauline Gordon
This saxophone quartet by Pauline Gordon consists of three
movements in contrasting styles. A rhythmic first movement,
a lyrical second movement and a blues-style third movement.
(Grade 5-8)
[SATB]
The American Quartet
Antonín Dvorák arranged by Melanie Thorne
The ‘American’ String Quartet is one of Dvorák’s most famous chamber works and was written in 1893 whilst the composer was working in the United States, and there are many american influences in this composition. This arrangement is not without challenges for the saxophone quartet, but the style and character of the original have been carefully maintained. The duration is approximately 26 minutes. (Grade 7-8+)
[SATB]
Yabadidoo
Melanie Thorne
A fun, jazzy quartet. Good for counting and jazz ensemble playing.
(Grade 4-6)
[AAAT]
Yabadidoo
Melanie Thorne
A fun, jazzy quartet. Good for counting and jazz ensemble playing.
(Grade 4-6)
[SAAT]
Yabadidoo
Melanie Thorne
A fun, jazzy quartet. Good for counting and jazz ensemble playing.
(Grade 4-6)
[SAAB]
Yesnaby Ground
Peter Maxwell Davies ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of the piano piece by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies –
works very well for this combination of instruments. (Grade 5-6)
[AATB]
Yesnaby Ground
Peter Maxwell Davies ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne
An arrangement of the piano piece by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies –
works very well for this combination of instruments. (Grade 5-6)
[AATT]