Rice Paddy Dreaming (Timo Jarvela) for String Orchestra

Grade 1.5.

About the Piece: Rice Paddy Dreaming was written to aid in the teaching of dotted crotchet-quaver rhythms. It also introduces young players to the technique of col legno. The piece should be played in an unhurried fashion but still maintain a nice flowing tempo. The piano accompaniment adds to the dreamy, soothing nature of the music.

Since 1995 Timo Jarvela has taught string playing in numerous primary and secondary schools in the Pine Rivers, Redcliffe and Caboolture districts just north of Brisbane. His teaching experience also includes a year spent teaching violin in the Kaustinen Shire of his native Finland during 1993-1994. Timo’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the Qld Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University. As a violinist, Timo has performed with numerous ensembles and orchestras including the Qld Symphony Orchestra, the Qld Philharmonic Orchestra and the Qld Youth Orchestra. In 1996, Timo founded the Pine Rivers Area String Orchestra to promote string playing in his local community. PRASO was central to Timo’s aim of providing young string players with musical opportunities through a variety of ensembles, ranging from fiddle bands to chamber orchestras. Since 2013 these ensembles have come under the banner of MYME (Moreton Youth Music Ensembles), reflecting the change of name in the shire. In 2003, Timo was awarded the Pine Rivers Shire Council’s Australia Day Cultural Award for his services to music in the community.