Faber Music is proud to announce the launch of the latest additions to the highly acclaimed ‘Best of…’ series. The Best of Violin books, one for each of grades 1–5, contain 14–15 well-loved pieces, helpful practice tips and a CD of performance and accompaniment tracks.

Editor Jessica O’Leary, an experienced violin teacher and ABRSM examiner, has hand-picked some of the best repertoire ever selected by Trinity Guildhall and ABRSM for their violin examinations, including pieces from both current and past exam syllabuses. She tells us: ‘whether you’re a really experienced teacher or you’re new to the profession, the biggest obstacle is finding enough repertoire of the right grade'. These books offer the solution: 14 or 15 pieces per grade, all specially selected and edited to ensure that students develop every aspect of their playing. In her experience as an ABRSM examiner, Jessica finds that students too often play only their three examination pieces – thus losing the opportunity to improve their sight-reading and general musicality through a wealth of fun and varied repertoire. The Best of Violin books each provide about a year’s worth of core repertoire from a range of different styles – everything from ‘classical’ material right through to contemporary composers’ works and some jazzier numbers – providing a mix of genres to suit everyone. As a teacher herself, Jessica says, ‘It’s great to have all that in one single book’.

Each book comes with a pull-out piano accompaniment part and a CD containing inspirational performances of every piece (played by Jessica O’Leary) and accompaniment tracks. These CDs are ideal for teachers who are not confident accompanying their pupils, or for pupils to practise playing along to at home. In addition, each piece has useful practice tips from Jessica to help pupils get started.


About the Editor


Jessica O’ Leary has a successful career as a teacher, professional violinist, ABRSM examiner and seminar presenter. She has toured and recorded extensively as a member of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and has performed with Madonna, Led Zeppelin, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Opera House. She teaches violin and viola and directs string ensembles at St Paul’s Girls’ School, Eltham College and Junior Guildhall, London.