John Gage - Chorales for String Ensemble
John Gage - Chorales for String Ensemble
Chorales for String Ensemble — By John Gage
Chorales for String Ensemble by John Gage is a collection of original chorale-style pieces designed to develop tone, intonation, blend, and musical sensitivity in string players of all levels. Drawing on the rich tradition of the Bach chorale — long considered the gold standard for teaching harmonic voice-leading and ensemble listening — Gage's chorales offer string ensembles a practical and musically rewarding tool for rehearsal and performance.
Written by a veteran educator who directed a 118-piece string orchestra at Stockdale High School and spent decades leading instrumental music in major church settings, these chorales reflect deep practical knowledge of what string ensembles need to grow. Whether used as warm-up material, sight-reading exercises, or concert pieces in their own right, they are an invaluable addition to any string ensemble's library.
Performance Highlights
- Original chorales for string ensemble by veteran educator John Gage
- Develops tone, intonation, blend, and ensemble listening
- Rooted in the Bach chorale tradition — practical and musically rewarding
- Ideal for string orchestras, chamber ensembles, and educational programs
- Digital PDF download — print-ready score and parts included
About the Composer
John Gage received a Music Education degree from John Brown University in 1972 and served churches in North Carolina, Illinois, and Alabama as Minister of Music and Youth before accepting a position in 1981 as the first full-time Minister of Instrumental Music at Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama, under renowned Minister of Music Aubrey Edwards. While at Shades Mountain, he completed a Master’s in Church Music from Samford University. In January 1989 he joined First Baptist Atlanta as Minister of Instrumental Music under pastor Charles Stanley and Minister of Music John Glover, and in 1997 accepted a call to Valley Baptist Church, Bakersfield, California, where he served for seventeen years — fourteen as Minister of Instrumental Music and three as choir director and music ministry administrator — before retiring from full-time music ministry in 2014 after forty-two years of service. In addition to his church work, Gage earned a California State teaching credential from Cal State Bakersfield and served as Assistant Director of Instrumental Music at Stockdale High School, directing a 118-piece string orchestra, an 80-piece symphonic band, and assisting with a 150-piece marching band. His published works include A Brass Player’s Warm Up and Practice Guide, Bowing Studies and Chorales for String Orchestra, and Meditations for Musicians, a devotional for church ministry teams. His devotional book Love Dad: Weekly Devotionals on Developing Christ-Like Character is available on Amazon and Kindle. He currently serves as a worship pastor at Valley Baptist Church, Bakersfield, California, and may be reached at john@johngagemusic.com.