Over the Rainbow: Flute Choir
Lyrics by E. Y. Harburg, music by Harold Arlen / arr. Calvin Custer
Item: 00-PK-0001376
$15.99
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Description
Ensemble for flute choir (1st C flute, 2nd C flute, 3rd C flute, 4th C flute, 5th C flute, guitar, bass, drums, and piano).
Download free full-performance and accompaniment recordings. Play along with the music and learn the correct style with the full-performance track. The accompaniment track includes only piano, guitar, bass, and drums, so if you don't have a rhythm section, you can play along with this track in rehearsal and performance.
Free Recording Downloads:
Full Performance Track
Accompaniment Track
Download free full-performance and accompaniment recordings. Play along with the music and learn the correct style with the full-performance track. The accompaniment track includes only piano, guitar, bass, and drums, so if you don't have a rhythm section, you can play along with this track in rehearsal and performance.
Free Recording Downloads:
Full Performance Track
Accompaniment Track
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Over the Rainbow: Flute Choir comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Sample Audio
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Sample Video
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Additional Details
Series:
Ensembles That Swing
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
48
SKU:
00-PK-0001376
Instrumentation:
Flute Choir
More about this title
About the Composer: E. Y. Harburg
E. Y. Harburg (1896-1981) was a lyricist and songwriter whose words shaped some of the most memorable melodies in American musical theater and film. Though he didn't compose the music itself, Harburg's partnership with composers like Harold Arlen produced standards that have endured across generations, including "Over the Rainbow," the anthem from The Wizard of Oz that became an American cultural touchstone.
Harburg's gift was for lyrics that balanced whimsy with emotional depth, making his work particularly valuable in music education. His songs invite musicians to explore storytelling through melody, and they've proven adaptable across countless instrumental arrangements and ensembles.
Why we love this
This arrangement brings a beloved standard into the flute choir world with genuine style, thanks to Calvin Custer's thoughtful instrumentation that includes rhythm section support. The free full-performance and accompaniment tracks remove barriers to learning the right feel, making it possible for ensembles without a dedicated rhythm section to still sound complete. It's the kind of piece that reminds students why they play in ensembles in the first place.
What to expect
Lyrical and warm, with the gentle optimism the tune carries naturally. The swing arrangement brings an easy groove that feels more contemporary than classical, inviting flutists to explore a style beyond concert band traditions while keeping the melody's emotional core intact.
Who it's for
Intermediate to advanced flute choirs looking for repertoire that connects to jazz and popular song traditions. This arrangement works equally well for community bands, school ensembles, and professional groups who want accessible, engaging material that students genuinely enjoy learning.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melody across your flute voices so the primary line sings without drowning out the harmonic foundation. The arrangement gives each flute part something meaningful to do.
- Reference the full-performance track during early rehearsals to internalize the swing style and phrasing. Once those grooves are clear, switch to the accompaniment track to build independence from the rhythm section.
- Pay attention to dynamics and articulation changes between sections. They're often subtle but essential to maintaining the piece's emotional arc.
- Lock in the rhythmic pocket with your rhythm section (or the recorded accompaniment) from the first rehearsal. This piece swings when the ensemble commits to a steady, relaxed pulse.
How to use it
Program this alongside other standards from the Great American Songbook or use it as a bridge between classical and contemporary repertoire. It works beautifully as a concert closer or as a way to introduce younger students to ensemble swing styles in an approachable context.
Skills your students will build
- Swing rhythms and jazz phrasing in a tonal ensemble context
- Balancing melody and supporting harmonic lines within five-part flute writing
- Blending with rhythm section instruments (piano, guitar, bass, drums)
- Dynamic control and articulation in a popular song arrangement
- Learning from recorded models and applying style concepts independently