Intermediate String Orchestra News

Hello, ISO Leadership Applicants! Here is your chance to stand out as a young musician by sitting at the front of the ensemble and helping lead the orchestra. Performers will be judged by their musicality, steady tempo, solid intonation, ability to cue, rhythm, posture and technique. The following are excerpts for the upcoming leadership auditions for violins, violas, cellos, and bass students for the ISO.  Throughout the semester, leaders need to abide by the attendance policy … read more about ISO Leadership Excerpts 2023 »

Hello, ISO Leadership Applicants! Here is your chance to stand out as a young musician by sitting at the front of the ensemble and helping lead the orchestra. Performers will be judged by their musicality, steady tempo, solid intonation, ability to cue, rhythm, posture and technique. The following are excerpts for the upcoming leadership auditions for violins, violas, cellos, and bass students for the ISO.  Throughout the semester, leaders need to abide by the attendance policy… read more about ISO Leadership Excerpts 2022 »

Hello ISO, We have a brand new piece and an old classic. The first song is called Aberrations by Anthony Granata. It is an exciting work with constant changing time signatures. The tempo is 130BPM. A recording of the piece can be found here: https://www.alfred.com/aberrations/p/00-48098S/ Our second piece is Molly On the Shore. It is an exciting and fast Irish Reel. Originally written for concert band by Percy Grainger, this string arrangement by Sandra Dackow is exciting to listen to and play! https://www.jwpepper.com/… read more about Music for April 24th Concert »

The English Folk Song Suite is a favorite piece of mine. Ralph Vaughn Williams originally wrote this work for concert band, but Stephen Bulla arranged it for strings. This 3-movement piece will test the abilities of every section. Please practice slowly with a metronome!  Here is a full-orchestra version of the piece. Very exciting! Download(s): Violin 1 - English Folk Song Suite Violin 2 - English Folk Song Suite Viola - English Folk Song Suite Cello - English Folk Song… read more about ISO Music for Feb. 20th, 2022 Concert »

J.S. Bach's Brandenburg Concerto no.5, arr. Merle J. Isaac I am attaching a link to the original concerto. I found a very exciting performance which shows the tone, dynamics, and tempo I'd like to emulate. Remember to practice slowly!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHjbRMIIhuM Can't Help Falling in Love arranged by Robert Longfield A class which has stood the test of time. Everyone from Elvis to 21 Pilots have covered this love song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdF1AsF-WWo… read more about ISO Music for Fall 2021 »

Hello, ISO Leadership Applicants! Here is your chance to stand out as a young musician by sitting at the front of the ensemble and helping lead the orchestra. Auditioners will be judged by their musicality, steady tempo, solid intonation, ability to cue, rhythm, posture and technique. The following are excerpts for the upcoming leadership auditions for violins, violas, cellos, and bass students for the ISO.  Throughout the semester, leaders need to abide by the attendance policy… read more about 2021 ISO Leadership Audition Music  »

Hello ISO Musicians and Families, I am excited to get back to the tent and make some music! Our rehearsals are A Saturdays: 3/6, 3/20, 4/10, 4/24, 5/8 @10am at the Baldwin Tent. Plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early to get set up so we can start right on time. My first selection is one of my favorites, Night Shift by Richard Meyer. Catchy melodies and multiple shifts into higher positions makes this song good for technique and to listen to.  Metronome=112bpm https://youtu.be/PfpTGOEEVF0 Over the Rainbow: Arr. Matt… read more about New Music for Spring 2021! »

Hello ISO Musicians and Families, I am excited to get back to the tent and make some music! My first selection is one of my favorites, Night Shift by Richard Meyer. Catchy melodies and multiple shifts into higher positions makes this song good for technique and to listen to.  Metronome=112bpm Over the Rainbow: Arr. Matt Stutzman This jazz standard by Harold Arlen evokes a sense of nostalgia to the players and listeners. Matt Stutzman has arranged it for the… read more about New Music for Spring 2021! »

Hello ISO Musicians and Families, I am excited to get back to the tent and make some music! My first selection is one of my favorites, Night Shift by Richard Meyer. Catchy melodies and multiple shifts into higher positions makes this song good for technique and to listen to.  Metronome=112bpm Over the Rainbow: Arr. Matt Stutzman This jazz standard by Harold Arlen evokes a sense of nostalgia to the players and listeners. Matt Stutzman has arranged it for the… read more about New Music for Spring 2021! »

Hello ISO Musicians and Families, I am excited to get back to the tent and make some music! My first selection is one of my favorites, Night Shift by Richard Meyer. Catchy melodies and multiple shifts into higher positions makes this song good for technique and to listen to.  Metronome=112bpm   Over the Rainbow: Arr. Matt Stutzman This jazz standard by Harold Arlen evokes a sense of nostalgia to the players and listeners. Matt Stutzman has arranged it… read more about New Music for Spring 2021! »

Star of County Down: Traditional Irish Ballad arranged by Matt Stutzman Allegro in D by Vivialdi Download(s): Star of County Down arr. Matt Stutzman - Violin I Star of County Down arr. Matt Stutzman - Violin II Star of County Down arr. Matt Stutzman - Viola Star of County Down arr. Matt Stutzman - Cello Star of County Down arr. Matt Stutzman - Bass Vivaldi Allegro in D - Violin I Vivaldi Allegro in D - Violin II Vivaldi Allegro in D - Viola Vivaldi Allegro in D - Cello Vivaldi Allegro in D - Bass read more about ISO Music for Fall 2020 Semester »

Hello Students and Parents, I am so proud of how far you’ve come! Every concert we must raise the bar of excellence. Our last concert has the most challenging music is skill and scope. Here are the three exciting pieces we will be performing Saturday May 2nd. Enigma Variations: Elgar’s Enigma Variations have some of the most beautiful musical themes in all classical music! I will include a recording with the musical score. Try following along in your part while listening! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rbqx5z9ymM… read more about 3rd Concert Music »

Hello Students and Parents, I am so proud of our incredible first concert! You all practiced hard and your work spoke for itself. Great job! Here are my selections for our 2nd concert: Troika: This piece is by Russian composer, Prokofiev and has amazing special effect pizzicato and catchy melodies. Violas have a big soli section! Try listening to this video while watching as the notes on your part go by.  https://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&produ… Ashokan… read more about 2nd Concert Music 2019-20 »

Hello Everyone and welcome back! I am excited to work on these three pieces I have selected for our first concert. I have chosen Lion City by Soon He Newbold. A great recording of it can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU0Xb34qXGo Next we will be playing a new song by William Hofeldt called, She Will Hang the Night with Stars. Beauftiful piece! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tEGsGbFYcA Last we will be doing an arrangement of Meacham's American Patrol march to celebrate veterans day. Here… read more about ISO Music Fall 2019 »

Hello, ISO Leadership Applicants! Here is your chance to stand out as a young musician by sitting at the front of the ensemble and helping lead the orchestra. Applicants will be judged by their musicality, steady tempo, solid intonation, ability to cue, rhythm, posture and technique. The following are excerpts for the upcoming leadership auditions for violins, violas, cellos, and bass students for the ISO.  Throughout the semester, leaders need to abide by the attendance policy … read more about 2019 ISO Leaderhip Audition Audition Pieces »

This Spring ISO will be performing the Serenade for Strings by Norman Leyden. It is a four-movement work: Prelude, Fugue, Nocturne, and Cakewalk. A great recording of this work can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp_h_-LGE0E Download(s): Serenade for Strings, Violin 1 Serenade for Strings, Violin 2 Serenade for Strings, Viola Serenade for Strings, Cello Serenade for Strings, Bass read more about 3rd Concert Music »

Congratulations on a great performance at our first concert of the year! As we prepare for our next concert it is important to attend all rehearsals and practice every day! I am proud of every member of the orchestra and look forward to raising the bar with each performance. Our new selections will be The Code by Alan Silva and O Magnum Mysterium by Morten Lauridsen. I look forward to our next rehearsal! -Matt  Download(s): The Code, Bass The Code, Cello The Code, Viola The Code, 2nd… read more about 2nd Concert Music »

Hello ISO families!  It was a great week back! From our first rehearsal to the wonderful potluck lunch, I feel we are ready to take on the challenges of the new DUSS year. Speaking of challenges... "To Tame the Raging Rapids" has been on my mind. It is easily the hardest song ISO has ever performed. It will require a lot of practice and hard work. Please work with your private lesson teacher if you are having difficulty with your part. We have plenty of time to learn the music, but now is the most important… read more about First Week Back!  »

Hello ISO students and parents. We will start our year by performing two great songs, "Toccatina" and "To Tame the Raging Rapids". Our first rehearsal at Bone Hall starts 8:45am September 8th, please arrive early to tune. We will pass out all music on Saturday, but feel free to download the parts early and start practicing. Let's have a great year!!! -Matt Stutzman Download(s): 1st VN, To Tame the Raging Rapids 2nd VN, To Tame the Raging Rapids Viola, To Tame the Raging Rapids Cello, To Tame the… read more about Fall 2018 ISO Music »

Hello, ISO Leadership Applicants! Here is your chance to stand out as a young musician by sitting at the front of the ensemble and helping lead the orchestra. Applicants will be judged by their musicality, steady tempo, solid intonation, rhythm, posture and technique. The following are excerpts for the upcoming leadership auditions for violins, violas, cellos, and bass students for the ISO.  Throughout the semester, leaders need to abide by the attendance policy and set a… read more about 2018 ISO Leadership Audition Pieces »

Hello Everyone! Our concert is fast approaching. Please watch my video for more information about this weekend: 1) Saturday (5/5) rehearsal is at East Chapel Hill High from 8:45-10am. 2) Sunday (5/6) is our concert at Baldwin Auditorium. Dress rehearsal is at 4:30-5:30, concert starts at 6:30.  Please watch this video for more details!  read more about ISO Concert Info »

It has been my pleasure to work with the students and parents of the ISO orchestra! I am excited for our final concert of the year. It will feature an original composition my Matthew Erickson, a lovely work called Adoration by Borowski, and The Entertainer by Scott Joplin. This will be the most challenging music yet. Please download your parts and start practicing! Copies will be distributed at our next rehearsal on Saturday, March 10th.  I am really proud of every student because of their hard work and… read more about ISO music for May 6th concert »

Hello ISO!  I'm posting all ISO music in case you need an additional copy. We have sectionals this week (March 10th), and let's meet in Bone Hall before breaking out into sections. Everyone should have their music binder and a pencil. Keep practicing hard and I will see you this weekend!  -Mr. Stutzman Download(s): ISO: 3 Baroque Pieces ISO: Bass, Great Bicycle Race ISO: Cello, Great Bicycle Race ISO: Viola, Great Bicycle Race ISO: Violin I, Great Bicycle Race ISO: Violin II, Great Bicycle… read more about ISO March 4th Concert Music  »

Happy New Year!!! 2018 is going to be a great year for ISO. This Saturday (January 8th) is our first rehearsal of the spring semester. Please review all ISO music before Saturday to maximize our rehearsal time. We music teachers, and conductors, will be practicing hard too. The DUSS faculty will perform Vivaldi's 4 Seasons on January 27th at 4pm in the Nelson music room.  Come out and support your favorite music teachers!  ISO is currently … read more about Happy New Year!  »

What a great start we’ve had to our year! I am very proud of all the hard work, both in rehearsal, and at home practicing. Our November concert is very important. It is the Duke University String School’s 50th anniversary! Dorothy Kitchen will be in attendance, and as a special treat we will be performing her arrangement of the Orange Blossom Special. If you did not receive a copy of this piece, please download it and start practicing! We will be performing this piece in tandem with the Concert String Orchestra & Youth… read more about ISO Rehearsal Update »

Hello, ISO Leadership Applicants! Here is your chance to stand out as a young musician by sitting at the front of the ensemble and helping lead the orchestra. Applicants will be judged by their steady tempo, solid intonation, rhythm, and musicality. There are two Leadership Audition selections, one from Handel's Allegro (Opus 6, No.1) and the Serendipity Suite (Richard Meyer). Leaders need to be well-practiced, calm and confident. Good luck! Violins:read more about ISO Leadership Audition Music 2017-18 »

Greetings, ISO! It has been a great year! I've enjoyed spending these past two semesters getting to know everyone in the ISO and rehearsing and performing music together. We are so close to our final concert, but we are not ready to perform yet. I need everyone to stay focused on learning those last few notes and rhythms on your own, so we can have a great last rehearsal putting it all together. There is no group I believe in more than the ISO to pull off an original work by a local composer. Boyd Gibson wrote a… read more about Final Concert Notes: ISO »

"Happy, not satisfied". That is what my orchestra conductor said after every performance. It was a great concert, and now we must raise “the bar” even higher. Our next performance needs to be even tighter- better tempo, better bowing, better intonation, and more eye contact. I am very proud of the work you all do, it feels like we are a family. The new music for our final concert has been posted. We will pass out copies at our next rehearsal, but feel free to start looking at it now. Not only will this be our best… read more about 2nd Concert Reflection »