Here is a very simple arrangement of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" that I used with my beginning orchestra last year. Each instrument has a turn playing melody and harmony. After the short introduction, violas and cellos begin on the melody together, while the violins and basses begin on the harmony together. The violas even get a solo measure in the introduction and ending! Every rest in this piece is a bow lift, so it's good practice for getting bows to match direction :)
The beginners were excited to have their first taste of playing a "real" full orchestra piece, where there are actual melody and harmony parts going on at the same time, and they enjoyed playing a piece that they recognized. I did play along on piano to provide some fuller harmonies but didn't write out a part for myself. Please let me know if you'd like me to write out a piano part for this! Update--see below for a notated piano part!
We watched parts of this Ode to Joy flash mob on Youtube too.
- Updated Ode to Joy with fewer bow lifts--parts/score/Alpha parts
- Score with piano part
- Piano part (would work with either version)
Enjoy!
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