Porgy and Bess® (Medley): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$95.00 USD

Porgy and Bess® (Medley): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Porgy and Bess® (Medley): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-CB9802
Price: 95.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Featuring: I Got Plenty o' Nuttin' / It Ain't Necessarily So / Summertime / Crab Man / Bess, You Is My Woman Now

By George Gershwin / arr. James Barnes

Grade: 4 (Medium)

Item: 00-CB9802

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The music from the timeless masterwork Porgy and Bess®has fascinated generation after generation. Oddly enough, at its premiere the critics presented mixed reaction: some calling it the pioneering work of a new folk-opera genre, and others condemning it as merely a succession of hit songs. Fortunately, time has secured its place in history. James Barnes has skillfully crafted a wonderful scoring of "I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'," "It Ain't Necessarily So," "Summertime," "Crab Man," and "Bess, You Is My Woman Now." This is Gershwin at his best! (8:30)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Porgy and Bess® (Medley): Concert Band 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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Series: Pop Symphonic Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 252

ISBN10: 0-7579-3250-9

ISBN13: 978-0-7579-3250-2

UPC: 029156906394

SKU: 00-CB9802

More about this title

About the Composer: George Gershwin

George Gershwin (1898-1937) bridged the worlds of concert music and popular song with unmatched fluency. Born in Brooklyn, he composed for Broadway, Hollywood, and the concert hall, writing music that sounded entirely American and remains instantly recognizable. His harmonic language and rhythmic vitality influenced generations of composers across genres.

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Why we love this

James Barnes has chosen the most essential moments from Porgy and Bess and shaped them into a medley that moves with the speed of a well-paced concert. The Grade 4 scoring sits in that sweet spot where bands with solid fundamentals can deliver genuine musical impact without drowning in technical demands. Your ensemble gets to play some of the most recognizable melodies in American music, which matters for both rehearsal morale and audience connection.

What to expect

This is Broadway transplanted into the concert hall: warm, energetic, full of song. Each melody arrives with its own emotional signature, from the lazy contentment of "I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'" to the shimmer of "Summertime." The orchestration sparkles without pretense.

Who it's for

Concert bands at the intermediate-advanced level (Grade 4) looking for substantial yet accessible literature that carries historical weight. Directors seeking a piece that engages musicians and audiences alike with music they can feel and hear themselves in.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the familiar melodies against the inner voices; these five songs are well known, but the arrangement's richness comes from what surrounds them in each section.
Shape each song as a distinct unit with its own character and pacing. 'Summertime' requires sustained, singing tone; 'It Ain't Necessarily So' wants rhythmic precision and lightness.
Let the rhythm section lock the groove firmly in the jazz-influenced passages. The success of the medley hinges on groove consistency and relaxation rather than stiffness.

How to use it

Program this in the first half of a concert where its accessibility and charm set a welcoming tone. It pairs well with other American standards or serves as a bridge between classical and contemporary repertoire. The 8:30 duration gives you flexibility in a mixed program.