I Got Rhythm: Flexible Band/String Ensemble Score & Parts

$60.00 USD

I Got Rhythm: Flexible Band/String Ensemble Score & Parts

Name: I Got Rhythm: Flexible Band/String Ensemble Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-49165
Price: 60.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin / arr. Michael Story

Grade: 1 (Very Easy)

Item: 00-49165

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version

$60.00

Shipped

One moment…

This version of I Got Rhythm arranged by Michael Story is part of our Belwin FLEX offerings and is designed with maximum flexibility for use by any mix of instruments---wind, strings, and percussion, including like- or mixed-ensembles with as few as 4 players. The suggested instrumentation and a customizable Teacher Map will help you plan out how to best assign parts to suit your ensemble's needs. The 4-part instrumentation will support balanced instrumentation of the lower voices. It also comes with supplemental parts for maximum flexibility. With the purchase of this piece, permission is granted to photocopy the parts as needed for your ensemble. A percussion accompaniment track is also available as a free download. String parts have been carefully edited with extra fingerings and appropriate bowings to support students in mixed ensembles playing in less familiar keys.

This timeless George and Ira Gershwin jazz classic has been covered by dozens of popular artists. The song remains one of the most recognizable melodies from the 20th century. In a charismatic contemporary arrangement, I Got Rhythm is accessible to first-year students and will be an upbeat addition to any program. (1:45) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

Percussion Accompaniment Track Downloads:
with click.
without click.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, I Got Rhythm: Flexible Band/String Ensemble Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

Open in the Player

Jump straight in and assign it today.

Start Your Free Trial

Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.

No sample audio found.

Series: Pop Beginning Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 76

UPC: 038081563671

SKU: 00-49165

More about this title

About the Composer: George Gershwin

George Gershwin (1898-1937) transformed American music by blending jazz idioms with classical forms, creating a sound distinctly his own. His gift for melody and rhythmic vitality made him one of the most performed composers of the 20th century, and his influence on both concert music and popular song remains unmatched.

Ira Gershwin (1896-1983), George's lyricist and brother, contributed witty, singable lyrics that became inseparable from George's melodies. Their collaboration produced some of American music's most enduring standards, with "I Got Rhythm" standing as a testament to their partnership.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Michael Story's arrangement captures the infectious energy of Gershwin's original while making it genuinely playable for young ensembles. The flexible instrumentation means you can perform this with whoever shows up on any given day, and the carefully edited string parts with fingerings and bowings remove barriers for players unfamiliar with jazz idioms. A piece this recognizable generates instant audience engagement and reminds students why they're learning music in the first place.

What to expect

Bright, playful, and rhythmically driving. The melody bounces with infectious optimism, and the supporting parts swing without demanding technical virtuosity. It's the kind of piece that makes listeners smile before the first phrase ends.

Who it's for

First-year students in mixed instrumental ensembles, particularly those new to jazz language and syncopated rhythms. Teachers working with flexible configurations will find this invaluable for large groups, small ensembles, or anything in between, since the 4-part structure accommodates any mix of winds, strings, and percussion.

How to get the most out of it

Lock the rhythmic foundation early by drilling the accompaniment parts and percussion track together; the groove is everything, so make sure those steady eighth notes don't rush or drag.
Shape the melody with jazz phrasing rather than classical legit singing. Let wind players tongue the syncopations crisply and string players use short, bouncy bows to match that articulation.
Balance the soloists and ensemble passages carefully. When the melody moves forward, secondary voices should sit back and support without drowning it out.
Use the free percussion accompaniment download during rehearsals and performances to lock in the swing feel and give your students a professional-sounding foundation to play against.

How to use it

Program this early in the year to build ensemble confidence and introduce jazz phrasing in a fun, accessible context. It also works beautifully as a concert opener or as part of a pop-music-themed program that keeps audiences engaged and energized.