Broadway Hits: String Orchestra Score & Parts

Broadway grandeur channeled through strings: sweeping melodic lines, rhythmic vitality, and moments of genuine tenderness alongside theatrical flair. The arrangements have color and personality while remaining true to the styles and emotional centers of their sources.

String orchestras at the intermediate level who want to perform recognizable theatre music without transcribing or arranging on their own. This works especially well for groups looking to collaborate with theatre programs, fill a pops concert slot, or give students exposure to music beyond the traditional classical repertoire.

• Shape the melodic lines with the same character and intention you'd bring to singing them; Broadway melodies live or die by their phrasing and emotional arc.
• Balance transparency in the accompaniment against supporting the soloists or featured sections; Osborne's arrangements typically layer parts thoughtfully, so resist the urge to overdrive the supporting voices.
• Communicate with your concertmaster about leading through style changes and tempo nuances; Broadway music shifts mood and energy frequently, and a unified string section response makes all the difference.
• Invest in rhythmic precision during the uptempo numbers; the energy of these pieces depends entirely on crisp ensemble timing and articulation.

Pair these with a themed concert celebrating American music and musical theatre, or use them as a bridge between your classical season and a pops concert. They're also ideal for collaborating with your school's drama or theatre program on a joint concert event.

• Shaping lyrical lines with theatrical phrasing
• Balancing accompaniment against featured melodic voices
• Reading and executing rhythmic patterns common to theatre idioms
• Responding to style and character changes within a single piece
• Ensemble precision in ensemble sections with multiple moving parts