Gershwin by George!: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Jerry Brubaker's arrangement captures the full scope of Gershwin's genius in a single program piece that works for Grade 4 bands. The medley structure keeps energy high while the inclusion of both familiar hits and rarer works like Piano Prelude No. 2 gives your students exposure to depth beyond the obvious selections. A concert band audience will recognize every melody here, which means your band gets to experience the unique thrill of playing music people actually know.

Gershwin's fingerprints are all over this score: you'll hear the sophistication of a trained composer, the swagger of Broadway, and the distinctly American energy that made his music timeless. The piece swings between the intimate lyricism of "Summertime" and the driving momentum of "I Got Rhythm," creating a journey that feels both familiar and fresh.

Concert bands at the Grade 4 level looking for a high-impact medley that demands musicality but stays within reach technically. This works for bands with capable brass and woodwind sections who can handle the melodic and harmonic demands without struggling on basic execution.

• Balance the band's texture around the melodic voice at any given moment; Gershwin's orchestrations reward clarity over blend, so let the lead soar while the harmony supports cleanly.
• Shape the famous "I Got Rhythm" section with forward motion and a light touch in the articulation; this tune needs to swing, not plod.
• Pay attention to Brubaker's dynamic markings in the "Rhapsody in Blue" excerpt; the piece's improvisatory character comes from contrast, not uniformity.
• Lock the rhythmic precision in "An American in Paris," especially where syncopation appears; this music sits on the edge of jazz, and rhythmic clarity keeps it from sliding into sloppiness.

This medley sits perfectly in a spring or end-of-year concert where you want to showcase the band's musicality and range in a single piece. It works well as a closer or just before intermission; audiences leave smiling because every note connects to something they already love. The length (just over six minutes) and Grade 4 difficulty also make it a strong choice for festival programs where you need a high-energy piece that doesn't demand the time investment of a full-length work.

• Phrasing and shaping within popular song melodies
• Balancing solo melodic lines with harmonic accompaniment
• Executing syncopated rhythms with precision and style
• Transitioning between contrasting musical characters within a single work
• Interpreting dynamic and articulation markings that convey jazz-influenced style