I waited outside with a cheap violin in hand.
A friend of mine walked toward me—his viola just as worn as my violin.
We were surrounded by trees and open air.

“Shall we?” he said.
“Oh yeah,” I muttered.

And just like that, we started playing our orchestra parts from memory.
Simply because we loved it.

Every note I write for string orchestra aims to evoke that feeling. As a young musician, I had the privilege of playing the music of Elliot Del Borgo. His work—and his mission—deeply shaped how I think about music education today.

The string orchestra is, to me, one of the most powerful and expressive ensembles. It is also where I first learned what it means to truly love music.

Why I Write for String Orchestra

My hope is simple: that somewhere, sometime, your students experience that same joy—and that the music becomes something they carry beyond the classroom.

Maybe even one day, outside, with a friend, just for the love of it.

My Hope for Your Students

About César Avilés

César Avilés is a composer, educator, and publisher creating expressive, accessible music for developing string orchestras.
His works have been published by Alfred Music.