Gershwin! (Medley): Score
Featuring: Fascinating Rhythm / Embraceable You / Somebody Loves Me / Someone to Watch over Me / I Got Rhythm
The music of George Gershwin / arr. Warren Barker
Grade: 4 (Medium)
Item: 00-PR-0004374
$9.00
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Description
To celebrate the centennial of the great American composing team George and Ira Gershwin, we proudly present a resplendent Warren Barker treatment of some of the Gershwin's fabulous hits, including Fascinating Rhythm, Embraceable You, Somebody Loves Me, Someone To Watch Over Me and I Got Rhythm. Splashes of color, charismatic textures, and all of the Barker 'trademarks' are here. A stunning rendition! (duration 6:40)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Gershwin! (Medley): Score 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:
Pop Symphonic Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
258
SKU:
00-PR-0004374
More about this title
About the Composer: George Gershwin
George Gershwin (1898-1937) bridged classical and popular music in ways that few American composers have matched. His gift for melody, rhythmic vitality, and orchestral color made him a defining voice of the Jazz Age, and his works remain central to the concert band and orchestra repertoire nearly a century after his death.
Gershwin's songs, many written with his brother Ira as lyricist, became American standards. His ability to infuse sophisticated harmonic language with infectious popular idioms created music that appeals equally to concert audiences and general listeners—a quality that explains why his medleys and arrangements remain fixtures in school and professional ensembles.
Why we love this
Warren Barker's arrangement captures everything that makes these Gershwin tunes irresistible while building in the orchestral depth and textural variety that keeps a Grade 4 band engaged and challenged. The medley format lets you program a complete, satisfying set of five iconic songs in one rehearsal package, and Barker's trademark energy and sophisticated voicing make this feel like a genuine concert event rather than a collection of hits strung together.
What to expect
The energy of 1920s New York transplanted to the concert hall. Gershwin's melodies sparkle with optimism and rhythmic sophistication, and Barker's orchestration amplifies that shine with splashes of color, clever doublings, and moments of tender lyricism that contrast beautifully with the brighter, more syncopated passages.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 4 level seeking repertoire that combines accessibility with musical substance. Directors programming pops concerts, spring shows, or audiences that include non-musicians will find these arrangements both crowd-pleasing and genuinely well-crafted.
How to get the most out of it
- Honor the rhythmic swagger in Fascinating Rhythm by keeping the tempo conversational and flexible; mechanical precision flattens the syncopation that gives this song its character.
- Balance the lyrical sections (Embraceable You, Someone To Watch Over Me) by bringing out solo voices clearly while maintaining warmth in the harmonic background.
- Shape each tune's arc as a mini-performance; let I Got Rhythm build to a genuine climax rather than coasting on its recognizability.
- Use the full instrumentation available at the Grade 4 level to color each section distinctly; Barker's arrangement rewards players who listen across the ensemble for texture and dialogue.
How to use it
This medley works beautifully as a spring concert centerpiece or as the energetic finale to a pops program. Pair it with a contrasting selection (a march, a lyrical ballad, or a classical transcription) to build a balanced concert, or use it as the celebration moment that sends the audience home smiling.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing individual melodic lines within a complex texture
- Executing syncopated rhythms with precision and swing
- Shaping dynamic arcs across contrasting musical moods within a single work
- Reading and playing a full concert band score at Grade 4 difficulty
- Understanding song form and how medley arrangements connect multiple themes