Highlights from La La Land: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Michael Brown's arrangement captures the luminous quality of Hurwitz's orchestrations while remaining accessible to Grade 3 ensembles. The medley structure gives your band four distinct musical moments to rehearse with purpose, each one instantly recognizable and genuinely engaging for both players and listeners. You get sophisticated harmonic language and genuine style without the complexity that bogs down rehearsals.

Radiant and yearning. The writing captures La La Land's signature blend of nostalgia and fresh hope, balancing warm, jazzy harmonies with soaring melodic moments. You'll hear intimacy in the ballads and infectious energy in the uptempo sections, all wrapped in orchestration that feels both modern and timeless.

Band directors seeking contemporary, high-interest repertoire that connects with students' actual musical lives. This works equally well for concert programs, pops concerts, or as a springboard into discussions about film scoring and musical narrative.

• Balance the lyrical passages in "City of Stars" and "Mia's Theme" by having upper woodwinds carry the melody while brass provides warm, restrained support. Resist the temptation to let dynamic markings pull the phrase out of shape.
• Articulate cleanly in the "Another Day of Sun" opening to capture the bright, driving energy. This section sets the tone for the entire medley, so lock the rhythmic feel early in rehearsals.
• Shape "Audition" as a genuine solo voice rather than background music. The trumpet or clarinet carrying the melody needs space to breathe and express the character's vulnerability.
• Use the transitions between movements as rehearsal checkpoints. Each bridge should feel intentional, not rushed. Clean cutoffs and clear tempo shifts will make the medley feel professional.

Pair this with other film or Broadway selections to create a themed concert, or use it as a standalone feature that resonates with audiences beyond the typical concert band crowd. The 4:30 duration fits comfortably into mixed programs without dominating the schedule, making it ideal for spring pops concerts or film-music focused events.

• Balancing melody and harmony in jazz-inflected settings
• Shaping lyrical phrasing across multiple instruments
• Executing clean articulation in bright tempos
• Managing tempo transitions and medley structure
• Understanding orchestration colors and blend across the concert band