Defying Gravity (from Wicked): E-Z Play Today

Soaring and fearless. The piece captures that spine-tingling moment when someone decides to stop apologizing for who they are and rise above the expectations others have placed on them. The music pulses with forward momentum while leaving room for genuine vulnerability.

Student pianists preparing for auditions, school productions, or solo recitals who need a reliable, singable arrangement of one of Broadway's most recognizable songs. This edition works equally well for accompanying a vocalist or performing as an independent piano piece.

• Shape the opening with restraint; let the gradually building intensity come from dynamic control rather than rushing the tempo.
• Balance the vocal line against your accompaniment so every lyric lands clearly, especially during the powerful final chorus.
• Pedal conservatively through the sustained chords to maintain clarity and avoid muddiness in the left hand.
• Find the emotional pivot point where Elphaba shifts from defiant to determined, and let your playing reflect that shift through touch and phrasing.

Pair this with other contemporary musical theater selections to create a program that speaks to student performers and audiences alike. It's substantial enough for a full recital slot yet accessible enough to learn without derailing other rehearsal priorities.

• Balancing melody and accompaniment in popular music idioms
• Dynamic control and emotional shaping over five pages
• Sight-reading accessible arrangements of well-known songs
• Sustaining energy through repeated song sections and key moments