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What better way to celebrate music by women than new publications?

NEW RELEASE #1:

You've asked for them-- and now they're here! I am delighted to announce this collaboration between Duo Klier and Sleepy Puppy Press. If you don't know the wonderful second violin parts Duo Klier creates for standard violin literature, please do yourself a favor and check it out here. This volume, available in print and digital download versions, provides second violin accompaniments to each of the pieces in volume 1 of the Violin Music by Women anthology. A game changer-- students love playing with teacher, and it's the perfect way for students to get used to the accompaniment before meeting with the pianist! Sample recordings coming soon.
NOTE: this volume contains ONLY the second violin parts, and none of the original violin or piano parts.

NEW RELEASE #2:

This charming suite, written to be played entirely in first position, is a portrait of the excitement and fun of an earlier, gentler time. Oh, the thrill of the fair coming to town! Merry-go-rounds, popcorn, and the trolley car ride back home. Each of the six pieces in the suite is preceded by a poem (presumably by Gaynor Blake), which cleverly fit the rhythm of of that movement. Originally written for violin and piano, it was just too good not to share with violists. Each version is available in either print or digital download versions-- check them out under the "Pedagogical" category on the left above! You can find a link to a full video of the violin and piano version here: https://youtu.be/SvND2JItB-I

NEW RELEASE(S) #3 (at Sleepy Puppy Press, we love cats, too!)

Australian composer Wendy Ireland (1958-2018) and I first "met" (via email) when I was looking for music to include in the Viola Music by Women anthology. I discovered the first Kitty Mini, "Sonnolento Gatto," loved it, and thought it would be nice to have a couple more to form a suite. Wendy thought she was being pranked, getting an email from Sleepy Puppy Press about a cat-themed piece, and almost didn't respond. I'm so glad she did!
While originally aimed at beginners, the five pieces have a level of sophistication that makes them probably more suitable for intermediate players and beyond. Do you like adventure? Two of the pieces require ringing a cat bell hung from the scroll between pizzicati!
To honor Wendy, 50% of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to organizations supporting cancer research or animal welfare.
Available in print or digital download versions. Links to YouTube videos for each piece may be found on the product page, but here's one to start with: https://youtu.be/i3JH44MfurY

So, given Forsyth was not female, I'm fudging a bit... but I liked the cat theme. However, Forsyth not only dedicated this work (and two other versions of it) to Rebecca Clarke, he gave her all the manuscripts-- none of which have been published before today! This mostly dark piece is suitable for an advanced intermediate player who can successfully negotiate double stops and a step-wise climb to 7th position of the A string. It has been beautifully recorded by British violist Peter Mallinson and pianist Lynn Arnold on their cd set entitled Brief Encounters. Click here for the YouTube link.

Available in print or digital download versions.

NEW RELEASE #4:

String players, get your Latin groove on! The three pieces in this collection (same pieces in both violin and viola volumes) have been arranged from piano originals. The outer two movements are moderately fast, the middle is a heartfelt slower waltz. The arrangements were targeted at players at the upper-intermediate level, similar to the pieces in the third volume of Violin Music by Women. Each piece has spots in fifth position and some double stops. Excellent recital pieces with a little spice, by a true trail-blazer and Brazilian national hero! Available in print or digital download versions, which can be found in the "Solo Instrument/Solo Instrument and Piano" section. Videos of all three pieces may be found on the product pages (violin and piano version only).

NEW RELEASE #5:

Would you like to incorporate more music by women composers into your violin teaching? Join Dr. Cora Cooper (compiler and editor, Violin Music by Women and Viola Music by Women anthologies) and Claire Allen (studio violin teacher in Northern Virginia and long-time user of the violin anthology) for this asynchronous online course you can do at your own pace, anytime!

In this course, you will learn:

how the pieces can fit into either a Suzuki or traditional teaching curriculum
why these particular pieces were chosen, and how they were found
teaching tips for all the pieces, from both Claire and Cora
more detail about each composer's life
historical background discussing why music by women has been so little known

Coming mid- to later summer 2026! Please send your contact info and any particular areas of interest to [email protected] so we can keep you posted on the details. Questions? Email Cora at the address above or at [email protected].

I hope you've enjoyed this whirlwind of publishing activity! There is plenty to explore-- if you find something you like, be sure to tell your friends!

Selected string music by rebecca clarke from sleepy puppy press

I can't think of any music I would be happier to publish than these stunning pieces. Student works from 1909-1910, they belie her young age with a maturity of structure and expression, and are what made me fall in love with Clarke's music. They are quite Romantic, yet her unique voice is already apparent throughout. Videos with audio from a live (i.e. not perfect) performance in 2005 may be found on the product pages: print here and digital here. The violin on the cover is the 1720 'General Kyd' Stradivarius, bequeathed to Clarke by her teacher Percy Miles. Phot0 credit to Ziv Arazi/Rare Violins of New York, who kindly allowed us to use it for the cover.

Clarke's two violin sonatas (your eyes do not deceive you-- yes, VIOLIN sonatas!) also date from her years studying with Sir Charles Stanford at the Royal College of Music. The G major sonata is a stand-alone, one movement work of approximately 11 minutes in length. Print here, digital here.
The D major sonata is a full scale, three-movement sonata of about 25 minutes, with one of the most hauntingly beautiful slow movements on record (previously published in volume 4 of the Violin Music by Women anthology.) Each work is is a worthy addition to the sonata repertoire, and have been recorded. For the D major sonata, print is here, and digital here.

Three short pieces, one a violin duet, and the other two just melodies written on a legal pad turned sideways and used as bookmarks... what to do? You hire talented graduate students to write accompaniments! And not just one accompaniment, but one for a 2nd violin, and one for piano for each of the two pieces. The results are wonderful, making these incredibly useful for teaching or recital. Available in print or digital formats, including a score and parts. Links for videos of the two versions of Lament below; links to all videos on the product pages.

Lament for two violins
Lament for violin and piano

Lament accompaniments by Andrew S. Bell

VIOLISTS REJOICE! This new volume, "Concert Arrangements and a Cadenza" by Rebecca Clarke contains three never-before published arrangements Clarke made for her concertizing use, and her own cadenza to the third movement of the B minor Handel/Casadesus concerto. Arrangements are of:
Grainger, The Sussex Mummers' Christmas Carol; Parry, Sarabande; Marchant, Irish Melody (Emer's Farewell to Cucullain, or Londonderry Air)
Edited by Caroline Castleton and Christopher Johnson
Find the print and digital versions, with performance videos of the Grainger and the cadenza in the "Solo Instrument and Piano" category!