Grade 1

"Blues Train" introduces the blues scale to young musicians, and each section gets an opportunity to play the blues scale. This is a fun piece that I think young musicians will enjoy.

The percussion parts provide the train sounds. I envisioned this piece as sort of a story in which the train arrives at the station to pick up passengers and then makes stops along the way to pick up additional passengers, represented by the different sections of the orchestra. The diminuendo at the end represents the train fading away into the distance, followed by the vocal “Shhh” at the end by the performers at the train’s final stop.

If Ye Love Me, by Thomas Tallis, is an English Anthem that was first published in 1560, and perhaps composed circa 1549. It is based on John 14: 15-21.

This piece can serve as an introduction to your students of music from the Renaissance Period. The polyphony within forces students to listen and count.

Key: E minor/E major

Range: G3 - E5

Francisco Tarrega (1852-1909) was a Spanish composer and classical guitarist regarded by many as "the father of the classical guitar." Adelita is a mazurka originally composed for guitar by Tarrega. The mazurka originated in Poland and was popularized by Frederic Chopin.

The tempo is indicated as Lento, but seems to work better at a faster tempo. The audio file here is at 80 bpm. However, this piece should not be performed metronomically, but rather with a more rubato style.

On the Texas Prescribed Music List

Francisco Tarrega (1852-1909) was a Spanish composer and classical guitarist regarded by many as "the father of the classical guitar." Adelita is a mazurka originally composed for guitar by Tarrega. The mazurka originated in Poland and was popularized by Frederic Chopin.

The tempo is indicated as Lento, but seems to work better at a faster tempo. The audio file here is at 80 bpm. However, this piece should not be performed metronomically, but rather with a more rubato style.

State Lists: Missouri

Grade 2

Duration: 2:20

Ave Verum Corpus is a motet composed by Mozart in 1791 to celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi.

State Lists: Missouri (as a string quintet)

If Ye Love Me, by Thomas Tallis, is an English Anthem that was first published in 1560, and perhaps composed circa 1549. It is based on John 14: 15-21.

This piece can serve as an introduction to your students of music from the Renaissance Period. The polyphony within forces students to listen and count.

State Lists: Missouri (as a string quintet)

If Ye Love Me, by Thomas Tallis, is an English Anthem that was first published in 1560, and perhaps composed circa 1549. It is based on John 14: 15-21.

This piece can serve as an introduction to your students of music from the Renaissance Period. The polyphony within forces students to listen and count.

Francisco Tarrega (1852-1909) was a Spanish composer and classical guitarist regarded by many as "the father of the classical guitar." Adelita is a mazurka originally composed for guitar by Tarrega. The mazurka originated in Poland and was popularized by Frederic Chopin.

The tempo is indicated as Lento, but seems to work better at a faster tempo. The audio file here is at 80 bpm. However, this piece should not be performed metronomically, but rather with a more rubato style.

On The Missouri Prescribed Music LIst

Prelude in B minor is from Frederic Chopin's 24 Preludes, which covers all major and minor keys. It is believed that this prelude, along with others, were played at his funeral. Nicknames given to this prelude after Chopin's death include "Homesickness" and "Tolling Bells."

This piece can help students learn to play in a legato style, as well as learning to play expressively.

On The Missouri Prescribed Music List

Prelude in B minor is from Frederic Chopin's 24 Preludes, which covers all major and minor keys. It is believed that this prelude, along with others, were played at his funeral. Nicknames given to this prelude after Chopin's death include "Homesickness" and "Tolling Bells."

This piece can help students learn to play in a legato style, as well as learning to play expressively.

State Lists: Missouri

If Ye Love Me, by Thomas Tallis, is an English Anthem that was first published in 1560, and perhaps composed circa 1549.

This piece can serve as an introduction to your students of music from the Renaissance Period. The polyphony within forces students to listen and count.

State Lists: Missouri

If Ye Love Me, by Thomas Tallis, is an English Anthem that was first published in 1560, and perhaps composed circa 1549. It is based on John 14: 15-21.

This piece can serve as an introduction to your students of music from the Renaissance Period. The polyphony within forces students to listen and count.

Prelude in E minor, Op. 28, No. 4, by Frederic Chopin is one of his 24 Preludes. By Chopin's request, this piece was played at his own funeral, along with Mozart's Requiem.

Prelude in E minor, Op. 28, No. 4, by Frederic Chopin is one of his 24 Preludes. By Chopin's request, this piece was played at his own funeral, along with Mozart's Requiem.