The Wizard of Oz Instrumental Solos: Trumpet Book & CD

Arlen's melodies are among the most recognizable in American popular music, and that familiarity creates immediate engagement with intermediate players. The arrangement sits perfectly in the trumpet's comfortable middle range at this level, allowing students to focus on phrasing and expression rather than technical struggle. Programming music from a beloved film connects audiences emotionally and gives your students the satisfaction of performing something they already know and love.

These arrangements capture the whimsy, optimism, and theatrical energy of one of cinema's most beloved scores. The trumpet takes on a conversational, almost character-like role in each tune, from the soaring vulnerability of 'Over the Rainbow' to the bouncy humor of 'We're Off to See the Wizard.'

Intermediate trumpeters in the late-elementary and middle school range who are ready to play with recorded accompaniment and need repertoire that builds confidence. This book also works well for private studio teachers seeking accessible, repertoire-based material with cultural relevance that motivates students.

• Shape 'Over the Rainbow' as a legit ballad rather than a pop tune; let the wide intervallic leaps breathe, and resist the urge to rush the triplet figures in the accompaniment track.
• Balance the playful character of 'We're Off to See the Wizard' with clean articulation. The march-like rhythm needs precision, not tongue-heaviness.
• Use the demonstration tracks on the included CD as a guide for tempo and phrasing, but don't feel locked into them. Arlen's melodies are flexible enough to accommodate slight rubato in the ballads.
• Watch the low register passages in 'The Jitterbug'; the trumpet sits lower in that arrangement than in the other tunes, so adjust your breath support and vibrato accordingly.

Program this book as a thematic unit celebrating American songwriting or film music history, perhaps pairing it with student research on the 1939 film. Alternatively, use individual tunes as intermission pieces or for pops concerts where audience recognition matters. The included historical essay and photographs provide excellent context for a pre-performance talk.

• Playing sustained melodic lines with consistent vibrato and expression
• Balancing legit phrasing in ballads with rhythmic precision in uptempo material
• Reading and responding to dynamic markings and tempo changes within familiar melodies
• Performing securely with recorded accompaniment and following a conductor or click track
• Navigating the full range of the trumpet from comfortable middle register to functional highs and lows