One Day I'll Fly Away (from Moulin Rouge) (arr. Michael Brown): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Nicole Kidman / Arranged by Michael Brown
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK00502139
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Description
Young Jazz Ensemble - Grade 3. From the hit movie "Moulin Rouge", this moving ballad provides a nice way to feature several sections of the ensemble in a well-paced arrangement. The tender opening with piano and flugels (opt. trumpets) leads to an alto sax solo on the verse. The full ensemble builds to the emotional peak before the chart winds down to a quiet close with brief written solos for piano and alto sax. Nicely done.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00502139
More about this title
About the Artist: Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman's performance of 'One Day I'll Fly Away' became iconic through the 2001 film Moulin Rouge, where her interpretation of this Edith Piaf standard brought vulnerability and vocal control to the role of Satine. Though primarily known as an actress, Kidman's work in this musical film demonstrated genuine musicality and emotional depth that resonates with performers across genres.
For music educators, Kidman's version provides a touchstone for how a jazz ballad can carry narrative weight and character development. Her phrasing and restraint in the original recording offer students a masterclass in how less can be more, especially when building toward emotional peaks.
Why we love this
Michael Brown's arrangement captures the emotional arc of Kidman's performance while giving young ensembles multiple entry points for musical growth. The sectional feature writing (alto sax solo, flugel lead, brief piano and sax solos at the end) means no single player carries the entire burden, yet each section gets a meaningful moment that matters to the overall shape.
What to expect
A quiet moment in a crowded room. The opening hovers in a tender, intimate space before gradually gathering ensemble voices into something luminous and full. The arrangement respects silence and retreat as much as it honors the swell toward resolution, leaving players and listeners with a sense of tender reflection rather than bombast.
Who it's for
Young jazz ensembles ready to explore ballad playing and sectional interaction without needing advanced harmonic knowledge or extreme register demands. This works well for groups developing rubato feel and dynamics in a film music context.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening piano and flugel duet with space and breath between phrases; resist the urge to fill silence, as quietness is the point.
- Balance the alto sax solo against the ensemble's background figures by having the supporting players play underneath the soloist's line rather than matching volume.
- Mark dynamic targets clearly in the full ensemble buildup so the ensemble understands where the emotional apex sits and how much dynamic range they have to get there.
- Give the closing solos (piano and alto sax) a reflective character; they should feel like a conversation winding down rather than a rush to the finish.
How to use it
Program this as a contrast to uptempo chart material or as an encore that shows your ensemble's softer side. It pairs well alongside other film music selections to showcase how jazz arranging can honor source material while creating new learning opportunities for young players.
Skills your students will build
- Ballad playing and sustaining tone with vibrato control
- Sectional feature writing and ensemble balance
- Reading written solo lines with interpretive freedom
- Dynamic shaping across a longer form without losing coherence
- Accompanying skills when supporting a featured soloist