Hello! My name is Sarah McLellan and I am the founder of Pick ‘n’ Mix Strings.

As a music teacher myself, I have spent so many hours over the years, tweaking or rearranging existing string parts, to make them as appropriate as possible for the individual students in the ensembles I have directed in schools, music centres and youth music festivals. In particular, I often found that although there is a wealth of repertoire specially arranged for beginner students, very often these pieces would mean that any higher level players would be sat there with a part much too easy for them. Conversely, if choosing a more substantial piece that would challenge the Grade 8+ players for example, I would inevitably end up writing a variety of parts for the not so experienced students to access.

Having recently located back to the UK after a wonderful 9 years in Hong Kong, I am now in the process of creating this selection of Pick ‘n’ Mix String arrangements, for string groups of all shapes and sizes, in the hope that the multiple options of parts for each instrumental line, will save busy music teachers time- as you can literally ‘Pick ‘n’ Mix’ which parts suit your players best- and will hopefully enable musicians of all levels to experience the joy of making quality music with others. I have aimed to give clear points at which students can find their place again if they happen to get a little lost and to share the musical interest between sections. I have also included open string parts and resources that can be used with Whole Class String teaching projects- and which will fit with the string orchestra and string quartet arrangements, in case anyone wants to incorporate a joint performance between a string ensemble and a whole class beginner project.

There is a wonderful team of people involved in the Pick ‘n’ Mix Story- from fellow music teachers, string players and students who have tried and tested every arrangement, to much appreciated specialist advice about cello and double bass fingering and technique, to wonderful techno-wizardary help and many, many conversations and inspiration found over cups of tea and other refreshments!

From all of us, we hope that you enjoy these Pick ‘n’ Mix arrangements!