Highlights from The Wizard of Oz: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Featuring: Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead / If I Only Had a Brain / We're Off to See the Wizard / Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by E.Y. Harburg / arr. Carrie Lane Gruselle
Grade: 2.5
Item: 00-PK-0008713
$65.00
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Description
Students and audiences will delight in this iconic film's memorable and beloved music. Featuring some of the movie's most popular songs, this arrangement of The Wizard of Oz, by Carrie Lane Gruselle, includes "Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead," "If I Only Had a Brain," "We're Off to See the Wizard," and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." In addition, Gruselle makes this as pedagogical as it is enjoyable, providing engaging material for all sections and including plenty of opportunities to explore a variety of key centers, bow styles, articulations, and finger patterns. A dynamic and inspiring medley with fantastic transitions. (4:00)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Highlights from The Wizard of Oz: String Orchestra 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:
MakeMusic Intermediate Strings
Publisher:
MakeMusic Publications
SKU:
00-PK-0008713
More about this title
About the Composer: Harold Arlen
Harold Arlen (1905-1986) composed some of the most enduring melodies in American popular music, with a gift for writing songs that lodge instantly in the listener's memory. His collaboration with lyricist E.Y. Harburg on The Wizard of Oz produced a score that has entertained audiences for over eight decades, proving that great songwriting transcends its original medium and speaks across generations.
Arlen's approach to melody was deeply rooted in American vernacular music: jazz, blues, and folk idioms flowed naturally through his compositions. For music educators, his work offers a masterclass in how singable, memorable tunes can also support sophisticated harmonic exploration and orchestral color.
Why we love this
Carrie Lane Gruselle's arrangement preserves the emotional core of Arlen's unforgettable melodies while crafting genuine pedagogical substance beneath the surface. Every section gets engaging material to play, and the medley structure with strong transitions keeps performers and audiences engaged without sacrificing musicianship opportunities.
What to expect
Familiar warmth meets gentle discovery. The melodies you know frame moments of genuine harmonic color and textural layering that reveal themselves through careful ensemble playing. There's joy in recognizing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," but also satisfaction in executing the articulations and finger patterns that make these simple tunes sing.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the Grade 2.5 level seeking repertoire that honors a beloved source while building musicianship. This works equally well for high school ensembles looking for accessible concert material and middle school programs ready for something that feels sophisticated without overwhelming the players.
How to get the most out of it
- Attend to the variety of bow styles and articulations written throughout. Gruselle uses these intentionally to maintain textural interest and give students concrete targets for technical development across the four minutes.
- Balance the familiar melodies against inner voices that carry harmonic color. These supporting lines are not filler; they anchor the sound and reward careful listening during rehearsal.
- Shape the transitions between songs as distinct musical moments rather than connective tissue. Each new key center and melody should feel like a deliberate journey, not a quick pivot.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece in a pops or family concert, pairing it with other accessible classics or lighter repertoire that showcases student growth without demanding a heavy dramatic arc. It also serves well as a confidence builder mid-season, offering students a chance to work on ensemble balance and stylistic control before tackling more complex material.
Skills your students will build
- Playing multiple key centers in a single piece
- Executing varied bow styles and articulations with consistency
- Managing finger patterns across different positions and string crossings
- Supporting principal melodic lines through engaged inner-voice playing
- Maintaining steady pulse and ensemble cohesion through medley transitions