Beginner String Ensemble Sheet Music – for early grade string orchestra and piano accompaniment
Fun, flexible, mixed ability pieces for school string orchestra, beginner string ensemble and early grades string groups. Enjoy some pop, musicals, TV and film themes with tunes that kids know, as well as Christmas songs, classical favourites and original pieces.
Most pieces have parts for Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3/Viola, Cello 1, Cello 2, Bass and Piano, and many also have parts for open strings beginners. There’s also a Teacher Guide Piano part to cover and support anything needed. Levels are different for each track, but vary from intermediate level players needing a challenge, to pre-Grade 1.
You can jump to the levels and instrumentation listed for each piece here
If you’re looking for flexible, fun pieces for school orchestra, have a look at Flexemble arrangements, which also include parts for wind (from BAG recorder to intermediate sax), brass, guitars, keyboards and percussion.
I asked the students what their favourite bit of the course was, and they SHOUTED Mamma Mia!! Thanks for such a fun arrangement. There was plenty for everyone to do, and the featured cello/bass solo was a big hit!
– String tutor, Junior Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London
POP and MUSICALS FAVOURITES for easy string ensemble
(A-Z by artist)
| ABBA | Super Trouper |
| ABBA | Mamma Mia |
| Clean Bandit | Rather Be |
| Encanto | We Don’t Talk About Bruno |
| Frozen | Let It Go |
| Game Of Thrones Theme | |
| George Ezra | Shotgun |
| The Greatest Showman | A Million Dreams |
| The Greatest Showman | This Is Me |
| James Bond Theme | |
| Matilda The Musical | Naughty |
| The Little Mermaid | Under The Sea |
| Mary Poppins | A Spoonful Of Sugar |
| Taylor Swift | Shake It Off |
| Wallace and Gromit |
CHRISTMAS SONGS for beginner string ensemble
| All I Want For Christmas Is You | Mariah Carey |
| Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! | Dean Martin/Frank Sinatra |
CLASSICAL PIECES for early grades string orchestra
| Traditional | Dashing White Sergeant | |
| Vivaldi | Theme from The Four Seasons: Autumn |
ORIGINAL PIECES for school string orchestra, beginner string ensemble and string group
| Clocks | A neo-classical piece for mixed ability string ensemble. Core group of Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3/Viola, Cello. Additional optional parts for Cello (intermediate), Bass, open strings Violin and Cello, plus Teacher Guide Piano | |
| Gone Fishing | ||
| Man of Mystery | A spooky, funky, thriller piece for mixed ability string ensemble. Everyone gets something interesting to play. Violin 1 – Grade 4/5 Violin 2 – Grade 3/4 Violin 3/Viola – Grade 2/3 Cello – Grade 2/3 | |
| Stormy Weather | Solo violin – Grade 5/6 Violin 1 – Grade 4 Violin 2 – Grade 2 Violin 3 – Grade 1 Cello – Grade 3 | |
| Things That Go Bump In The Night |
Instrumentation and levels
ABBA – Super Trouper
From the hit musical Mamma Mia!, this arrangement of Super Trouper by ABBA is for beginner strings and piano. Straightforward to play and put together, but satisfyingly close to the original track in performance.
Violin 1 – fairly easy, 1st position, with some interesting rhythms.
Violin 2 – fairly easy, 1st position, with some interesting rhythms.
Violin 3/Viola – easy, 1st position, with optional double-stop including open string.
Cello 1 – fairly easy, 1st position, with some string crossing.
Cello 2 – very easy (optional).
Bass – easy (optional).
Piano – fairly easy, playable by ensemble director or student
ABBA – Mamma Mia
The title track from ABBA’s Mamma Mia, enjoyed by millions as a hit single, film and stage musical. Full of the upbeat energy of the original, this is an arrangement for student string ensemble with plenty of interest for each player. Perfect for fun performances for a mixed ability, flexible string orchestra.
Violin 1 – intermediate level, with some pushed rhythms.
Opt. Violin 1+ – as Violin 1 with a few additional fun moments, for more advanced students.
Violin 2 – early intermediate level. Some 1st finger back and low 2nd fingers. Harmonics.
Violin 3/Viola – easy. 1st position only.
Cello 1 – intermediate level. 1st finger back, 4th position, harmonics.
Cello 2 – easy. 1st position only.
Bass – early intermediate level.
Opt. Violin 4 – open strings only
Opt. Cello 3 – open strings only
Teacher Guide Piano – to cover all the key parts
Clean Bandit – Rather Be
Clean Bandit’s super-catchy hit Rather Be, arranged for easy string orchestra with optional piano accompaniment. Designed to be flexible, there are several possibilities for using a smaller or expanded group. A perfect track for learning some more interesting rhythms!
Note: There are two sets of Easy Violin and Cello parts which are the same in sound, one in 2/4 for extra easy reading
Violin 1 – intermediate or teacher
Violin 2 – fairly easy/intermediate
Violin 3/Viola – easy
Easy Violin – open strings and 1st fingers only.
Cello 1 – fairly easy. 4th position 1st fingers, 1st finger back.
Cello 2 – easy
Easy Cello – open strings and 1st fingers only
Bass – easy
Piano accompaniment: fairly easy
Encanto – We Don’t Talk About Bruno
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit song from Disney’s Encanto. Everyone’s talking about it – so why not join inspire your students and join in? A flexible arrangement for easy string orchestra with Teacher Guide Piano, and melodies shared across the ensemble. Just use the lines that suit your group.
Violin 1 – Intermediate. Some pushed rhythms
Violin 2 – Early Intermediate. Extended 3rd finger, very occasional pushed rhythms
Violin 3/Viola – Easy. Straight rhythms only, open strings, 1st and 3rd fingers.
Violin 4 – Open strings only.
Cello 1 – Intermediate. Some pushed rhythms, 4th position and A harmonic.
Cello 2 – Easy. 1st position, 2nd finger.
Cello 3 – Open strings only
Bass – Intermediate. Some pushed rhythms.
Optional Teacher Guide Piano covers all key lines
Frozen – Let It Go
Disney’s top track of the last few decades, arranged for easy string ensemble, with Teacher Guide Piano to cover all the crucial moments where needed. Perfect for making beginner group playing fun!
Optional Extra Violin – Early intermediate level, some pushed rhythms. Ideal for a keen player
Violin 1 – high and low 2nd finger, 1st finger back, ties.
Violin 2 – high and low 2nd finger.
Violin 3/Viola – open strings and 1st fingers only.
Cello 1 – 2nd and 3rd fingers, one 4th position note, 1st finger back.
Cello 2 – open strings and 1st finger only.
Easy Cello – open strings and 1st fingers only
Bass – easy
Teacher Guide Piano
Game of Thrones
For easy, flexible string ensemble with optional piano. Useful practice for violinists playing parts 1 and 2 in switching between high and low second fingers. An ideal, energetic choice for older students.
Violin 1 – Intermediate.
Violin 2 – Easy/Intermediate.
Violin 3/Viola – Easy (no low 2nd fingers).
Cello 1 – Easy/Intermediate.
Cello 2 – open strings and 1st finger only.
Optional Easy Violin & Cello – open strings and 1st fingers only
Bass – Easy
Teacher Guide Piano, Teacher Guide Violin, Teacher Guide Cello
George Ezra – Shotgun
George Ezra – Shotgun George Ezra’s huge No.1 hit Shotgun, for school string ensemble. Use all the parts as listed below, or swap Cello 1/2/Bass/Piano parts in or out as needed.
Violin 1 – fairly easy, some low 2nd fingers.
Violin 2 – easy, no low 2nd fingers.
Violin 3/Viola – very easy, open strings and 1st fingers.
Cello 1 – fairly easy.
Cello 2 – very easy.
Bass – easy
Teacher Guide Piano
The Greatest Showman – A Million Dreams
The classic track from the hit musical film The Greatest Showman, arranged for easy string orchestra and piano. With a melody that everyone knows, this is very achievable and satisfying for school string ensemble.
Violin 1 – easy, requires low 2nd finger.
Violin 2 – easy, requires low 2nd finger.
Violin 3/Viola – very easy, requires one low 2nd finger.
Cello 1 – easy, 1st position with 2nd and 3rd fingers.
Bass (optional) – easy
Piano – fairly easy, playable by ensemble director or student
The Greatest Showman – This Is Me
A positive and uplifting track from the hit musical film The Greatest Showman, arranged for easy string orchestra and piano. An inspiring song, ideal for school string ensemble performances and celebrations.
Optional Extra Violin – for a slightly more advanced student
Violin 1 – easy, requires low 2nd finger.
Violin 2 – easy.
Violin 3/Viola – very easy, mostly open strings and 1st fingers.
Cello 1 – easy, 1st position with both 2nd and 3rd fingers.
Bass – easy.
Piano – fairly easy, playable by ensemble director or student
James Bond Theme
The iconic theme from the iconic spy movie – play the ultimate version of James Bond Theme for easy strings (with Guide Piano). It sounds just as exciting and mysterious as the original, with interest for every part. Plus this is the perfect piece to learn all about semitones! A great choice for school string orchestra.
Violin 1 – Early Intermediate. With 3rd position.
Violin 2 – Fairly Easy. 1st position, high and low 2nd fingers.
Violin 3/Viola – Easy. 1st position, high 2nd finger only.
Violin 4 (Optional) – Open strings only.
Cello 1 – Early Intermediate. With 4th position, extended 4th finger.
Cello 2 – Easy. 1st position, 2nd and 3rd fingers.
Cello 3 (Optional) – Open strings only
Bass – Easy.
Teacher Guide Piano
Mary Poppins – A Spoonful of Sugar
The iconic Mary Poppins, in an arrangement for mixed ability school string ensemble. A great tune, in a straightforward version perfect for a younger school string orchestra.
Violin 1 – high and low 2nd finger, 1st finger back, 3rd finger extended
Violin 2 – high 2nd finger only
Violin 3 or Viola – open strings and 1st finger only
Cello 1 – 2nd and 3rd fingers, 1st finger back
Cello 2 – open strings, 1st and 2nd fingers
Bass – easy
Teacher Guide Piano
Matilda the Musical – Naughty
The fabulous ‘Naughty’ from Tim Minchin’s Matilda The Musical. Perfect for student performances, education workshops and school string groups, this is guaranteed to be fun to play! Tailored for beginner and early intermediate strings, whilst also sounding satisfyingly like the original. A good first experience of swung rhythms.
Violin 1 – Early intermediate.
Violin 1 (Opt. extra) – Intermediate. a slightly more challenging version of Violin 1, for a student who needs more to do
Violin 2 – Early intermediate. High and low 2nd fingers, one Eb.
Violin 3/Viola – Beginner. One low 2nd finger note.
Cello 1 – Early intermediate. Some 1st finger back and stretched 4th finger. Some 4th position.
Cello 2 – Beginner. Some 2nd finger notes.
Bass – Early intermediate.
Teacher Guide Piano – to make sure all key parts are covered!
The Little Mermaid – Under the Sea
A really fun, upbeat track arranged for mixed level easy/intermediate string ensemble that will put everyone in a great mood! This has all the funky rhythms of the original, presented in a way that’s readable, with parts for all levels so that everyone can join in. Ideal for school string orchestra.
Violin 1 – Intermediate. Contains some arpeggio practice! plus off-beat rhythms. Some triplets.
Violin 2 – Early Intermediate. Some arpeggios, and supported off-beat rhythms. 1st position only. Includes low 2nd finger.
Violin 3/Viola – Easy. 1st position only, mostly open strings and 1st fingers. No low 2nd fingers. Pizz. and arco. Fairly simple rhythms.
Cello 1 – Intermediate. 1st and 4th positions. Some off-beat rhythms, moving parts and melody. Some triplets.
Cello 2 – Easy. Straightforward rhythms. 1st position only. Pizz. and arco.
Bass – Early Intermediate. Some off-beat rhythms.
Opt. Violin 4 – Open strings only. Simple rhythmic patterns.
Opt. Cello 3 – Open strings only. Simple rhythmic patterns.
Teacher Piano Guide – covers all the key parts
Taylor Swift – Shake It Off
Taylor Swift’s biggest number one hit, Shake It Off. Channelling all the infectious energy of the original, this version for easy string ensemble (and Guide Piano) will make everyone smile! Students also get the chance to try out some more contemporary percussive techniques. Perfect for a school string orchestra!
Violin 1 – 1st position, high and low 2nd fingers, some pushed rhythms.
Violin 2 – 1st position, high and low 2nd fingers.
Violin 3/Viola – 1st position, high 2nd fingers only.
Violin 4 (Optional) – Open strings only.
Cello 1 – 1st position, 2nd and 3rd fingers, more rhythmic variety and string crossing.
Cello 2 – 1st position.
Cello 3 (Optional) – Open strings only
Bass – Easy.
Teacher Guide Piano
Wallace and Gromit
The theme from the animated classic, Wallace and Gromit, arranged for easy, flexible string ensemble and with a Teacher Piano Guide. With all the energy and delight of the original! Perfect for learners and fun performances, with the tune shared across the ensemble.
Violin 1 – early intermediate.
Opt. Violin 1+ – a moment for keen intermediate players to shine!
Violin 2 – easy. 1st position, some extended fingers.
Violin 3/Viola – easy. 1st position only, no low 2nd fingers.
Cello 1 – early intermediate.
Cello 2 – easy. Some 2nd fingers.
Bass – easy
Opt. Violin 4 – open strings only
Opt. Cello 3 – open strings only
Teacher Guide Piano