Selections from Les Misérables (arr. Larry Moore): String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Larry Moore's arrangement distills the musical's most recognizable moments into a package that lets young string players engage with genuinely sophisticated material. The Grade 3-4 range makes these iconic melodies accessible without resorting to oversimplification; your students will sound and feel like they're playing real music from a real show.

Rich with emotional weight and theatrical grandeur, these selections carry the signature sweep of Schönberg's melodic writing. The string arrangements emphasize legato sustain and harmonic color, creating moments of beauty alongside passages that drive forward with real dramatic urgency.

String orchestras at the intermediate level, particularly those looking to build confidence with well-known material that engages both audiences and players. Teachers programming pops concerts, spring performances, or Broadway-themed events will find this collection effective for broadening repertoire beyond standard classical fare.

• Shape phrases through the lyrical content. Even in an instrumental arrangement, the melodies carry the weight of the story; listen to vocals recordings to understand the dramatic arc of each selection.
• Balance divisi passages carefully so inner voices support rather than compete with the melody line. String orchestras often struggle when too many players sit on accompanying material.
• Attend to the harmonic rhythm and how it shifts. Moore's arrangements use string colors to create movement; let dynamic shifts follow the harmony's natural pacing.
• Lock the ensemble tuning before rehearsing. These selections sit in exposed registers where intonation issues become obvious immediately.

These selections work especially well in a mixed-genre concert where you want to honor both classical tradition and contemporary musical culture. Pair them with shorter classical pieces to create programming that feels substantial and varied, or use them as the anchor for an entire pops-style concert that celebrates musical theater.

• Sustained legato playing across longer phrases
• Dynamic control in the middle and lower registers
• Balancing melody with accompanimental figures in divisi sections
• Intonation sensitivity in exposed harmonic contexts
• Expression and phrasing informed by dramatic context rather than purely musical structure