Good Orchestral Pieces for small Orchestra

[DouglasJB]

What are some favorite pieces that can be handled by a small orchestra? (Less then 5 of each string and 1 Bass, full winds)

[THE TUBA]

Appalachian Spring is one of the first things that come to mind. The full orchestral version could work if there's a pianist and harpist. There is also the original chamber orchestra version for 13 players (including piano), but the strings could easily double up. As a tubist, you would of course be out of luck.

[hduong]

A local community college I played for a few years ago contacted composition majors at a nearby university to arrange a piece with the instrumentation that was available. roughly 30 players total for winds and strings.

[DouglasJB]

By "full winds" we have no trouble filling 3 Flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2-3 trumpets, 3 trombones, a tuba. There just aren't many strings so we struggle to do larger pieces. I've heard them play Rite of Spring and Firebird, and I've played Finlandia and Tchaikovsky's 4th symphony this year.

[DouglasJB]

Thanks Bloke!