Selections from Into the Woods: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Stephen Bulla's medley preserves the emotional core of Sondheim's score while crafting an arrangement that feels fresh and concert-worthy rather than like a show tune collection. The piece builds momentum across its movements, giving your band a genuine arc to shape rather than isolated vignettes.

The opening establishes mystery and enchantment before the familiar melodies emerge, warm and nostalgic. As the medley unfolds, you move between introspection and gentle joy, landing on the quiet wisdom of 'Children Will Listen' that feels both intimate and profound.

Concert bands at Grade 4 who want to program contemporary musical theater repertoire with real substance. This works for groups seeking material that audiences recognize and enjoy while still offering legitimate musical challenges for players.

• Balance the lyrical moments in 'No One Is Alone' by resisting the urge to push tempo; let the harmonic shifts breathe and carry the emotional weight.
• Ensure clear articulation in the faster sections so the familiar melodies cut through the fuller orchestration without sounding muddy.
• Mark the transitions between numbers clearly in rehearsal; the medley structure means your band needs to feel where one section ends and the next begins.

Pair this with other contemporary concert pieces to show your band's range, or use it as a accessible entry point if you're introducing musical theater repertoire to your program. The six-minute length sits perfectly in a mixed concert without overshadowing other selections.

• Phrasing across longer harmonic progressions
• Balancing melody and accompaniment in Broadway-influenced orchestration
• Executing smooth transitions between contrasting sections
• Shaping dynamic arcs within individual melodic lines
• Distinguishing between legit theater style and pure concert band sonority