Music from Wicked (arr. Michael Sweeney): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Stephen Schwartz / Arranged by Michael Sweeney
Grade: 2
Item: 35-PK01194587
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Description
Here is a very playable yet effectively powerful setting of highlights from the hit Broadway musical about the Wicked Witch of the West. Includes: "No One Mourns the Wicked, Dancing Through Life, Defying Gravity" and "For Good".
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01194587
More about this title
About the Composer: Stephen Schwartz
Stephen Schwartz has shaped contemporary musical theatre with a catalog that spans five decades. His work on Wicked, Godspell, Pippin, and Hadestown demonstrates a gift for crafting memorable melodies that resonate across generations and skill levels. In the concert band world, his music appears frequently because it balances accessibility with genuine theatrical substance.
Why we love this
Michael Sweeney's arrangement captures the emotional arc of Wicked without sacrificing playability at Grade 2. Four distinct numbers give your band exposure to contemporary musical theatre writing, and the instrumentation sits naturally across a standard ensemble. Programming this builds repertoire that audiences actually know and students genuinely want to perform.
What to expect
This arrangement captures the theatrical sweep of Wicked while keeping the ensemble's focus on clean execution and musical storytelling. You'll move between moments of pop-influenced groove, soaring legit melodic lines, and genuinely touching ballad material, all scored with impressive clarity for a Grade 2 setting.
Who it's for
Bands at Grade 2 who want to connect with students through material they recognize from film and stage. Directors seeking Broadway-styled programming that doesn't require advanced technical demands but still delivers real musical satisfaction.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melody line so 'Defying Gravity' soars without overshadowing the harmonic support underneath. The power of this moment depends on clarity of voice leading.
- Shape 'No One Mourns the Wicked' with genuine legit phrasing rather than concert band precision. Allow the brass section to sing through the opening statement.
- Lock the tempo in 'Dancing Through Life' early in rehearsal. The groove drives the entire arrangement, and rhythmic confidence from the section leaders will settle the rest of the band.
- Reserve 'For Good' for a moment of reflective beauty. This closing number benefits from spacing out your dynamic climax so the final statements land with earned weight.
How to use it
Consider pairing this with other contemporary musical selections to build a themed concert, or slot it into spring programming when you want material that generates enthusiasm from both players and audiences. The four-number suite structure works beautifully as its own standalone set or as part of a larger pops concert.
Skills your students will build
- Phrasing legit theatrical melody across varied tempos
- Maintaining groove rhythms while balancing ensemble texture
- Dynamic shaping from pianissimo to forte without losing intonation
- Reading published Broadway-style scoring conventions
- Sustaining lyrical passages with proper breath support