Swan Lake

The essence of the original is kept amazingly intact in this simplified version of Tchaikovsky's famous ballet theme. His chromaticism and two against three rhythmic juxtapositions are still there, but better middle schoolers should be able to tackle it as could young H.S. groups. Put into E minor from B minor so it's all in first position, you can concentrate on teaching the more difficult techniques without having to worry about shifting. Work on expressive phrasing, tremelo, triplets and enharmonic accidentals such as A#/Bb and D#/Eb as well as "low second finger" F natural in the upper strings. It will definitely be musically rewarding when done.