Alfred Music Continues to Adapt and Evolve with New String FLEX Options

September 3, 2020

Alfred Music, the leading publisher in music education since 1922, is proud to announce Alfred Music’s new String Orchestra FLEX options, featuring extra parts for select Highland-Etling and Belwin Orchestra titles that provide ultimate flexibility for your string ensembles. To help with teachers’ changing needs throughout the school year, these additional parts are available to print as needed, free of charge.

Every part (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass) in the original set is now transposed into every other part (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass). For instance, there are Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, and Bass parts all transposed for Cello on the occasion that you have an all-cello ensemble. These parts allow for any homogeneous string ensemble as well as any heterogeneous string ensemble. Careful editing has also been done to make sure instrument ranges are kept in line with both the instrument and grade/ability level. Alfred Music’s new String Orchestra FLEX options allow your students to play beautiful music with as little as 3–5 players.

Here's how teachers can take advantage of these extra parts:

1. Buy the original set here.
2. Figure out what additional parts are needed.
3. Download the parts for free at alfred.com/supplemental.

The flexibility of parts and ability to print extra parts for free make this a perfect resource for hybrid or remote teaching—the right tools and music for any situation. Grade levels vary from grades 1–3 and include a variety of styles, including original compositions, classical arrangements, and pop, so that they can be programmed for any time of year. These newly reimagined pieces are written by a variety of composers and arrangers, such as Douglas E. Wagner, Bob Phillips, Richard Meyer, and others.

Additionally Alfred Music’s String Orchestra FLEX options will be made available in SmartMusic, allowing students' practice to be transformed from passive repetition to active learning, giving teachers the ability to monitor and assess student progress while remote teaching. Students will be immediately shown what pitches and rhythms they hit or miss so they know what to work on, and they don't learn their music incorrectly. They can play along to the accompaniment, encouraging at-home practice, while helping you track their progress.

For more information, visit alfred.com/StringFlex.