April Showers Cover Image

April Showers: Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$75.00 USD
$75.00 USD
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April Showers Cover Image
April Showers: Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

April Showers: Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

By Louis Silvers, ed./arr. by Timothy Broege

Item: 36-A901190
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Description
Louis Silvers (1889-1954) composed April Showers in 1921 with lyrics by Buddy DeSylva for the Broadway musical Bombo, starring the legendary entertainer Al Jolson. Introduced by Jolson at the Jolson Theatre in New York when Bombo opened on October 6, 1921, the song quickly became one of the defining popular standards of the early twentieth century. Built around the enduring optimistic refrain, "Though April showers may come your way, they bring the flowers that bloom in May," the work captured the hopeful spirit of post-World War I America and exemplified the craftsmanship of Tin Pan Alley at its finest. Jolson's recording later that year helped propel the song to national popularity, and its uplifting message ensured its continued success through numerous recordings by artists ranging from Paul Whiteman to Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra. The song experienced a major revival after being featured prominently in the 1946 biographical film The Jolson Story, further cementing its place in American musical culture. Today, April Showers remains one of the classic standards of the Great American Songbook, cherished for its memorable melody, timeless message of resilience and optimism, and enduring appeal in concerts, recordings, and nostalgic revues celebrating the golden age of Broadway and popular song. This edition has been orchestrated by Timothy Broege. Instrumentation: 2(2nd dPicc).2.2.2: 3Sax(AAT; opt.): 4.3.3.1: Perc(2): Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set).

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Additional Details
Series: Kalmus Nostalgia Series
Publisher: Edwin F. Kalmus
UPC: 604634228160
SKU: 36-A901190
Instrumentation: 2(2nd dPicc).2.2.2: 3Sax(AAT; opt.): 4.3.3.1: Perc(2): Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set)

More about this title

About the Composer: Louis Silvers

Louis Silvers (1889-1954) was a prolific composer and conductor who shaped the sound of early twentieth-century American musical theater. His gift for crafting memorable melodies that could anchor a dramatic moment or carry a comedic scene made him invaluable to Broadway producers during the 1920s and beyond. Beyond the theater, Silvers worked extensively in film scoring and orchestral music, bringing the sophistication of concert hall writing to popular entertainment.

Silvers understood how to write for the orchestra with clarity and warmth, qualities that made April Showers endure long after its Broadway debut. His collaboration with lyricist Buddy DeSylva produced songs that captured the emotional tenor of their era while remaining accessible to audiences and performers across generations.

Why we love this

Timothy Broege's orchestration opens up the full harmonic and emotional palette of this standard without overshadowing the melody that made it famous. The arrangement respects the song's Broadway lineage while giving wind players and the saxophone section genuine musical moments. Orchestras at intermediate to advanced levels find this a rewarding conductor's piece that audiences recognize immediately and musicians enjoy executing.

What to expect

Sunlight breaking through clouds. The orchestration moves between warmth and sparkle, grounded in the steadiness of string writing that feels both elegant and genuinely felt. There is no cynicism here, only the confidence of a composer at ease with melody and the honest emotion behind the words.

Who it's for

Conductors programming a concert centered on American standards, whether as a nostalgia evening or an educational survey of Tin Pan Alley craftsmanship. Orchestras seeking repertoire that connects with audiences while offering ensemble musicians a well-written, gratifying score.

How to get the most out of it

  • Keep the melody singing forward through the reeds and upper brass without letting the accompaniment obscure it. The tune's simplicity is its strength.
  • Balance the saxophone section against the woodwinds carefully; optional instrumentation means you can adjust the voicing to match your ensemble's strengths.
  • Shape the phrases with attention to the lyrical content. This is a song about hope and renewal, so let the orchestra breathe at natural moments rather than pushing through.
  • Use your second flute or piccolo sparingly in the higher passages; a light touch in those registers adds sparkle without stridency.

How to use it

Position this as an intermission opener or a lighter second-half anchor when you want the audience to settle into something familiar and heartening. It pairs naturally with other golden-age standards and works equally well on a concert built around a single era or composer.

Skills your students will build

  • Balancing lyrical melody against fuller harmonic accompaniment
  • Executing clean sectional articulation across winds and brass
  • Managing optional instrumentation and flexible voicings
  • Maintaining forward phrasing through a recognizable, accessible melodic line
  • Reading standard Broadway-era orchestration practices

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