Leroy Anderson Favorites: Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

This medley captures Anderson's irresistible melodic gift in one performance package, giving orchestras the chance to present recognizable, crowd-pleasing material that still demands solid musicianship. Calvin Custer's arrangement respects each tune while creating seamless transitions, so audiences hear four favorite pieces as one satisfying arc rather than a disconnected sequence.

The medley moves from the sophisticated swing of "Blue Tango" through the sparkle of "Belle of the Ball" with energy and charm. These Anderson melodies feel both timeless and light, conjuring a mid-century elegance that sits comfortably in the modern concert hall.

This conductor score and parts set serves orchestras at the intermediate level (Grade 3.5) that want to program accessible, entertaining repertoire without sacrificing polish or musicality. It's ideal for community orchestras, school orchestras, and university ensembles looking for material that engages both players and audiences.

• Keep the tempo of each section clearly defined in rehearsal so the medley doesn't blur together. Mark the conductor score with tempo numbers and isolate the bridge passages where the key or time signature shifts.
• Balance the melody across different sections as it passes from strings to woodwinds to brass. This medley's success depends on hearing each tune clearly, so make sure accompanying voices stay well underneath.
• Work the rhythm section (percussion and bass) as a tight unit. "The Syncopated Clock" in particular demands precision in the rhythmic figures that give it its character.
• Use the recorded accompaniment as a rehearsal tool to hear how the parts fit together, but insist on playing without it well before the performance date.

Program this as a first-half closer or second-half opener when you want to shift the mood toward entertainment and lift the energy of the concert. It works especially well following a substantial classical work, giving audiences a chance to enjoy familiar melodies while you reset the stage.

• Balancing solo lines against accompaniment in an ensemble setting
• Maintaining precision across tempo and key changes within a continuous medley
• Shaping phrasing in light concert music without sacrificing rhythmic accuracy
• Coordinating articulation across multiple sections to blend distinct melodies