Irving Berlin: From Rags To Ritz: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Paul Murtha and Audrey Snyder have crafted a medley that lets you program four beloved Berlin standards without sacrificing musicianship or rehearsal time. The Grade 3 scoring balances accessibility with genuine arranging craft, and the built-in flexibility to add chorus and strings means one arrangement serves multiple performance contexts, from a spring concert closer to a full theatrical collaboration.

You're transported through a century of American optimism and style. From the rollicking syncopation that sparked a dance craze to the sophisticated wit of 'Puttin' on the Ritz,' the medley captures Berlin's range: ragtime exuberance, sentimental melody, and jazzy sophistication all in one package. The arrangement sparkles with period charm while feeling completely alive under your baton.

Directors programming a concert finale that needs both crowd appeal and musical substance will find this medley immediately effective. High school and middle school bands at the Grade 3 level gain exposure to foundational American popular song forms while building ensemble cohesion through well-orchestrated, recognizable material.

• Establish the ragtime swing of 'Alexander's Ragtime Band' early in rehearsals; the rhythmic precision here sets the character for the entire medley and gives students a clear physical reference point.
• Shape the transitions between songs deliberately rather than rushing through them. Each new tune deserves a moment to land before the next one begins.
• If adding chorus and strings, balance the band's harmonic foundation with the vocal line; let the singers own their melodies while the band provides rhythmic drive and support.
• Pay attention to the contrasts: 'Blue Skies' and 'Play a Simple Melody' ask for a lighter, more lyrical touch compared to the raucous energy of 'Puttin' on the Ritz' finale.

Close your spring or end-of-year concert with this as a finale; its theatrical energy and audience recognition make it the perfect send-off. Alternatively, use it as a lighter programming option in a concert built around American songwriting, or pair it with a vocal or jazz ensemble to expand beyond the concert band format.

• Executing syncopated rhythms in ragtime style
• Balancing lyrical phrasing across contrasting song sections
• Maintaining ensemble precision through key changes and section transitions
• Responding to changes in articulation and dynamic character between songs
• Reading concert band scoring that distributes melodic and harmonic material across sections