Chicago (from the musical Chicago): Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Victor López's medley arrangement captures the theatrical swagger and rhythmic precision that made Chicago a modern classic, while pitched at Grade 3.5, it gives orchestras access to authentic Broadway sound without requiring advanced facility. The selection of "My Own Best Friend," "Razzle Dazzle," and "And All That Jazz" creates a program arc that builds energy and gives every section something distinctive to play. This is concert orchestra writing that remembers it came from Broadway, not stuffy adaptation.

Smart, glittering, and propulsive. This medley captures the snap and cynicism of Chicago while keeping things bright and theatrical. You hear the pit orchestra in your head as you play, feel the weight of a show designed for big effects, and experience the satisfaction of landing the humor and energy that made these songs stick.

Orchestra directors working with high school or advanced middle school ensembles who want to program something that audiences recognize and enjoy without sacrificing orchestral musicianship. Students gain exposure to Broadway orchestration and the rhythmic vocabulary of jazz and swing in a fully realized concert arrangement.

• Balance the jazzy ensemble textures by voicing inner woodwind and brass parts clearly; too much blend will bury the syncopation that gives this arrangement its lift.
• Lock the rhythm section (bass, cello, and timpani) into a tight pocket; the groove is the foundation for everything else to swing above it.
• Shape the transitions between selections so each tune feels like its own scene rather than a collection of moments; conductor cues are your tool here.
• Allow the brass to have character when they state a melody, especially in "Razzle Dazzle" and "And All That Jazz," where personality and articulation define the style.

Program this as a second-half opener or a strong closing piece for a concert featuring lighter repertoire; the familiarity and forward momentum will energize an audience and create a natural contrast if you pair it with classical or contemporary concert works earlier in the show. It also works beautifully on a "Broadway and Beyond" concert or an evening celebrating American musical theater.

• Reading and performing jazz articulation and phrasing in an orchestral context
• Coordinating syncopated rhythms across multiple instrumental sections
• Balancing ensemble texture while maintaining clarity of individual lines
• Responding to a conductor's dramatic interpretation and theatrical timing