Rain: Bassoon
Featuring: Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head / Come Rain or Come Shine / Singin' in the Rain
Arr. Jack Bullock
Grade: 3
Item: 00-PC-0015714_B1
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Description
It is difficult to hear the wonderful motion picture song, "Singin' in the Rain," without conceptualizing Gene Kelly and his umbrella, or "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" without thinking of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. So taking these two songs and inserting the great "torch" song, "Come Rain or Come Shine," between them gives the listener an unforgettable medley bringing to mind the rainy days, good and bad, of life. A great tune for a Pops concert featuring skits with umbrellas! (4:30)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Rain: Bassoon 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 Intermediate Full Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
250
SKU:
00-PC-0015714_B1
More about this title
About the Arranger: Jack Bullock
Jack Bullock brings decades of professional music-making and classroom experience to his work as a composer and arranger. A trumpet performer who worked with the Miami Philharmonic Orchestra, Miami Opera Company, and touring dance bands, he earned undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in music education. His credentials include ASCAP membership since 1980 and recognition in Marquis Who's Who in the Media and Communications.
With over 600 published works across concert band, orchestra, jazz ensemble, and marching band, Bullock has shaped music education at every level. He taught instrumental music in schools for 20 years, served as assistant band director at Ithaca College's School of Music, and chaired the Music Education Department there. He co-authored the Belwin 21st Century Band Method and contributed arrangements to Music Expressions, Alfred Music's innovative school curriculum. His clinics and workshops have taken him across North America and to England.
Why we love this
Bullock crafted this medley with the Pops concert audience in mind, pairing two instantly recognizable film standards with a classic torch number to create something both musically satisfying and visually engaging. The Grade 3 orchestration keeps parts accessible for school orchestras while maintaining the charm and sophistication of these beloved songs. A conductor looking for repertoire that gets genuine audience recognition and opens the door to creative staging will find this ready to go.
What to expect
The medley opens with the buoyant energy of "Singin' in the Rain," evoking carefree motion and optimism. The arrangement shifts warmth and introspection with the torch ballad "Come Rain or Come Shine," before landing on the gentle resilience of "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head." Throughout, the orchestration feels cinematic, honoring the film origins of these songs while celebrating their place in American popular music.
Who it's for
This medley works for school and community orchestras at the intermediate level who want concert repertoire with immediate audience appeal. Directors seeking a bridge between classical orchestra concerts and lighter Pops programming will appreciate how Bullock balances musicality with accessibility. It's an excellent choice for mixed-age orchestras where strong sight-readers and newer players can contribute meaningfully.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the lyrical quality of "Come Rain or Come Shine" between the orchestra sections; this torch song needs space to breathe and should anchor the medley emotionally.
- Coordinate visual elements (umbrellas, staging) during rehearsals so musicians understand the pacing and character changes between the upbeat "Singin' in the Rain" opening and the more introspective middle section.
- Shape the transitions between songs deliberately; use slight tempo adjustments and clear cutoffs to signal each new section and maintain momentum across the full 4 minutes 30 seconds.
- Emphasize the melodic line in the first violins and woodwinds, particularly in the opening number, to ensure the audience connection to these iconic tunes remains strong.
How to use it
Feature this as the centerpiece of a Pops concert or family concert where theatrical elements and audience nostalgia enhance the musical experience. The medley pairs well with other lighter orchestral fare and gives your ensemble a chance to showcase both musicianship and personality. Program it early or mid-concert to capitalize on the songs' immediate recognition and the energy that comes from an engaged, smiling audience.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing lyrical phrases across multiple instrumental families
- Executing smooth transitions between contrasting tempos and characters
- Reading and performing accessible yet idiomatic orchestral arrangements
- Supporting melodic lines effectively from inner voices and accompaniment parts