Dentist! / Suddenly, Seymour: Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts
Little Shop of Horrors, Part 2
Words by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken / arr. Mike Story
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0007984
$55.00
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Description
Part 2 of our Little Shop of Horrors show begins with the fun and humorous "Dentist!" Following this is the beautiful ballad "Suddenly, Seymour," which features easy and short trumpet and trombone solos. These lead into a big buildup before returning to a gorgeous and poignant finish. Stunning! (2:15)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Dentist! / Suddenly, Seymour: Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Big and Easy
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
228
SKU:
00-PK-0007984
More about this title
About the Composer: Alan Menken
Alan Menken is one of the most prolific composers in American musical theater, with a career spanning four decades of Broadway productions and film scores. His gift for melody and orchestration has earned him eight Academy Awards and numerous Grammy and Tony nominations, making him a cornerstone of contemporary musical theater. Menken's work is celebrated for its accessibility without sacrificing musical sophistication, a quality that translates beautifully to educational arrangements.
Why we love this
Mike Story's arrangement captures the theatrical heart of these two contrasting numbers without overwhelming a Grade 2 ensemble. The humor of "Dentist!" lands perfectly in a marching setting, while "Suddenly, Seymour" offers a genuine emotional arc that allows students to experience lyrical playing and ensemble transparency. This pairing gives your band a complete theatrical moment that audiences recognize immediately.
What to expect
The piece captures the quirky charm and dark humor of the "Dentist!" scene, then shifts into the yearning vulnerability of Audrey's emotional confession. The contrast between comedy and tenderness gives your band a chance to explore two distinctly different moods and show audiences the range of a marching ensemble.
Who it's for
Marching bands at the Grade 2 level looking for Broadway repertoire that combines entertainment value with genuine musical content. This arrangement works for bands seeking a complete show segment that feels theatrical but remains achievable during a single season.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the "Dentist!" section light and rhythmically tight; the comedy depends on precision and buoyancy rather than volume.
- Shape the trumpet and trombone solos in "Suddenly, Seymour" with clear phrasing and dynamic contrast; these brief feature moments deserve musical sensitivity.
- Use the buildup section to gradually increase energy through dynamic layering rather than tempo changes, allowing the ensemble to hear the architecture Menken created.
- Balance the final poignant section carefully so that inner voices support the melodic line without drowning it out.
How to use it
Program this as a self-contained act or finale that stands alone dramatically; the two-minute-fifteen-second arc gives audiences a complete emotional journey. It pairs naturally with other straightforward Broadway selections or works as part of a larger Little Shop of Horrors concept performance.
Skills your students will build
- Rhythmic precision in syncopated passages ("Dentist!" section)
- Dynamic contrast between humorous and lyrical material
- Solo performance in a section context (trumpet and trombone features)
- Sustained legit singing tone for ballad writing
- Listening to ensemble balance during thin harmonic textures