Over the Rainbow: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
From the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Musical Production, The Wizard of Oz
Words by Harold Arlen, music by Harold Arlen / arr. Bob Cerulli
Grade: 1
Item: 00-PK-0002654
$54.00
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Description
This is the standard heard for the first time in the motion picture The Wizard of Oz. It has grown to become one of the most popular songs in the world. This easy arrangement is geared for strings after one year of instruction. A warm, rich setting for this classic revered melody. (2:22)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Over the Rainbow: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Pop Beginning String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
54
SKU:
00-PK-0002654
More about this title
About the Composer: Harold Arlen
Harold Arlen (1905-1986) composed some of the most enduring American standards of the twentieth century, with a gift for melody that made complex harmonies feel inevitable and natural. His work for stage and screen established him as a master of the popular song, and his collaboration with lyricist E.Y. Harburg on The Wizard of Oz created music that has outlasted the era in which it was written by decades.
Why we love this
Bob Cerulli's arrangement opens this timeless melody to young string orchestras without sacrificing its emotional core. The orchestration respects what makes 'Over the Rainbow' unforgettable while staying within the technical reach of students who have played for just one year, making it a genuine crowd-pleaser for winter or spring concerts.
What to expect
Warm and hopeful, with a sense of longing that feels both intimate and universal. The arrangement wraps the familiar tune in gentle, supporting harmonies that let the melody breathe while creating a full, rich sound that feels much bigger than its technical demands.
Who it's for
Young string orchestras in their first or second year of study who need accessible but musically substantial repertoire. This arrangement also serves experienced ensemble directors looking for a concert selection that builds musicianship while connecting with audiences who already love this melody.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the melody with a singing, legato approach in the upper voices; this song lives and dies by its lyricism, so encourage players to think of themselves as vocalists even on a string instrument.
- Balance matters tremendously with an exposed tune like this one. Keep inner voices transparent so the main theme floats clearly without being swallowed by accompaniment.
- Allow space for the harmonic shifts that give this song its emotional journey. Slight rubato through the bridge passages will deepen the reflective quality without losing overall coherence.
- Consider a gentle ritard approaching the final statement of the melody, giving the ensemble time to breathe and letting the familiar tune settle into the listener's heart.
How to use it
Pair this with other popular standards or cinematic selections to build a program with broad appeal. Its accessibility and emotional resonance make it ideal for family concerts, outreach performances, or as a bridge between concert repertoire and music students encounter in their listening lives outside the rehearsal room.
Skills your students will build
- Legato phrasing and sustained tone quality
- Reading melodic contour and following harmonic structure
- Balance and blend in ensemble textures
- Rhythmic precision in accompanimental figures
- Musicality within a Grade 1 technical framework