Arranged for a beginning string group, these easy-to-play folk hymns are recommended for school programs, worship services, and recitals. This textured arrangement of “Amazing Grace” features four variations.

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma has recorded “Simple Gifts,” a folk hymn that has become part of the classical music tradition, and he performed the tune with violinist Itzhak Perlman and others at President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration.

ABOUT THE MUSIC (Excerpted from the Performance Notes)

The two tunes in this Strings Charts edition are arranged for a beginning string group. Of the two, “Amazing Grace” is easier and could be programmed in the first half of the school year since it requires less rehearsal. If you don’t have a bass, give the bass part to a cellist. Englishman John Newton, a repentant seaman-turnedabolitionist who had sailed on a merchant ship in the West African slave trade, wrote the powerful lyrics to “Amazing Grace” and first published the song in 1779. At first, there was no written music especially for this or any of his other hymns. Instead, the words were sung to a number of tunes, as with other hymns from this time period. The tune most of us know came later, from an American book of hymns published in 1835 and entitled Southern Harmony. It is believed to be derived from a traditional American hymn of unknown authorship performed under various titles that include “New Britain” or “Harmony Grove.”

Despite its origins, “Amazing Grace” was a favorite tune for both North and South in the Civil War. Because of its origins, the song became a standard and a rallying cry for African Americans in that period. In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s powerful anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin featured the main character singing three verses from the hymn.

This arrangement features four different variations of the hymn. The first begins with the melody in the cello part, at letter A. The accompaniment for this variation is very simply done. Watch your bow speed with the uneven rhythm of half note to quarter note in accompanying parts. Slow your bow speed with the half notes and speed up your bow speed for the quarter notes.

Listen to a sample of this arrangement of "Amazing Grace."

Amazing Grace

The American spiritual “Simple Gifts,” also known as “’Tis the Gift to Be Simple,” is a dance song that was written in 1848 by Shaker church elder Joseph Brackett in Maine. Over the years, this folk hymn has become part of the classical music tradition: American composer Aaron Copland used this beautiful tune for his ballet Appalachian Spring, first performed in 1944, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma teamed up with singer and fiddler Alison Krauss for a popular recorded version. Ma also performed a John Williams arranged version of the folk song—along with violinist Itzhak Perlman, clarinetist Anthony McGill, and pianist Gabriela Montera—at President Barack Obama’s 2009 Inauguration ceremonies.
The first eight measures of the piece are an introduction— the first violin plays the tune here. With the two quarter-note pick ups to rehearsal letter A, the second violin takes the lead. This is the beginning of the melody for “’Tis the Gift to Be Simple.”

Listen to a sample of this arrangement of "Simple Gifts."

Simple Gifts

The first violin takes over the tune at rehearsal letter B. Make sure to play this melody with gusto, even though it is marked mezzo forte.

The second violin and then first violin or a small choir could also sing the words with the melody here, if they wish. It’s nice to hear the tune sung, if you can.

—Renata Bratt