Defying Gravity (from Wicked): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Stephen Schwartz / Arranged by Jay Bocook
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK00155971
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Description
Here is a dynamic arrangement of the stunning production number from the Broadway musical "Wicked." Sure to be a crowd favorite! Dur: 2:10
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00155971
More about this title
About the Composer: Stephen Schwartz
Stephen Schwartz has shaped American musical theater for five decades, from his early work on Godspell and Pippin through his transformative scores for Wicked, Hadestown, and Anastasia. His gift for writing soaring melodies that anchor emotional moments makes his work a natural fit for concert band arrangements. In music education settings, Schwartz's music teaches students how contemporary songwriting can carry genuine theatrical weight without sacrificing accessibility.
Beyond Broadway, Schwartz's influence extends through his film scores (Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame) and his commitment to music theater pedagogy. His ability to craft lyrics and melodies that resonate across age groups and performance levels has made him one of the most programmed contemporary composers in school music.
Why we love this
Bocook's arrangement captures the soaring emotional arc of the original without losing the contemporary pop sensibility that makes "Defying Gravity" instantly recognizable to audiences. At Grade 3, the writing stays transparent enough for developing ensembles while still delivering the kind of crowd energy that reminds students why they joined band in the first place.
What to expect
Defiant and soaring. The arrangement captures that moment of liberation and boldness from the musical, with orchestral colors that sweep forward even as individual band voices stay clearly voiced. There's joy here, but also urgency and determination.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the intermediate level who want a piece that engages audiences while staying within a realistic technical grasp. This works for school concerts, festival programs, or community band settings where you need something that lands emotionally without requiring virtuosic players.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melody line against supporting voices; Elphaba's part needs space to breathe even when the full band is playing.
- Shape the dynamic swell in the second half with clear sectional communication, especially as the key modulation arrives. Build gradually rather than jumping to full volume.
- Lock the rhythmic figures in the accompaniment during the refrain sections. Clean articulation on these patterns keeps the energy propulsive without sounding rushed.
How to use it
Program this as a crowd-pleasing second half opener or closer on a concert that mixes classical and contemporary work. Audiences who may not know concert band repertoire recognize this tune immediately, making it an excellent bridge between traditional concert programming and modern musical theater. Pair it with other contemporary arrangements or with a short musical theater set to create thematic coherence.
Skills your students will build
- Sustained melodic phrasing across longer phrases
- Dynamic control through extended crescendos and diminuendos
- Sectional independence while maintaining ensemble cohesion
- Playing contemporary pop-influenced rhythmic patterns in a concert band context
- Balancing transparency of orchestration with full band sonority