A Little Dance Suite

2006

(15 minutes)

This commissioned work was developed under a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts, the State of Ohio and the Canton (Ohio) Symphony Orchestra in 2006. It is intended to show on the concert stage as well as the classroom the many aspects that make up music.

I decided to use dance forms because they would be more appealing to young students.  ~Terry Mizesko

A Little Dance Suite is in five movements and describes a typical day in the life of a young child. Although originally intended for young audiences, it has been performed and well received by classical audiences as well.

Written for full orchestra, a reduced orchestra version may be obtained by omitting horns 3, 4; trombones 1, 2, 3 and tuba and 1 percussion.  Harp is optional.

There are classroom versions available for string trio and woodwind trio, as well as solo versions for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, violin, viola or cello with piano accompaniment.

Intended for the young listener, this work also opened the 2007 concert season for the Canton Symphony. It works for listeners of all ages.

Excerpts from A Little Dance Suite

i. Wake Up Dance is a very tuneful energetic dance in mixed meter that shows the beginning of a child’s day.

ii. Dos Muchachos  Mariachi contrasts dramatic mariachi trumpets with an elegant Paso Doble.

iii. Highland Promenade brings in another music culture, Scots-Irish, as one walks reflectively in the Scottish Highlands.

iv. Dance of the Hobgoblins is a Scherzo depicting nightmares and storytelling with devilish pizzicati.

v. Lullaby Waltz and Finale is a lullaby that soothes the child and brings an end to the day, only to be awakened by a reprise of the Wake Up Dance as another day begins.