Selections from Moana 2 (arr. Sean O'Loughlin): Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Sean O'Loughlin's arrangement captures everything that makes these songs compelling while writing idiomatically for a young orchestra. The medley structure keeps momentum high across multiple styles, and the Grade 3-4 scoring balances accessibility with moments that let players showcase developing technical skills. Your students will recognize these melodies instantly, which means they'll invest in their playing from rehearsal one.

Energetic and grounded, mixing the accessibility of movie music with the textural sophistication of a well-crafted concert arrangement. The medley moves through moments of rhythmic drive, lush harmony, and cultural specificity. There's warmth throughout, never cynicism, even as the writing challenges players to think about orchestral color and ensemble blend.

High school orchestras moving into Grade 3-4 repertoire and middle school programs with solid ensemble fundamentals. Directors seeking contemporary material that engages students without abandoning musical depth. This works equally well for concert programs and pep band contexts.

• Establish the rhythmic precision early in rehearsals on We're Back. The pop-influenced grooves in this arrangement demand consistent articulation across the ensemble rather than classical legato phrasing.
• Balance the melodic voices carefully during Get Lost. Secondary instruments often carry important harmonic material that supports the overall color; resist the urge to subordinate them beneath the top line.
• Shape Tulou Tagaloa (Sei e Va'ai Mai) by emphasizing the cultural textures O'Loughlin has scored. These moments give your orchestra character and authenticity that generic performance approaches will miss.
• Allow the final section (Beyond) to breathe before the tempo increases. Give students time to reset mentally between contrasting material so the energy shift lands clearly.

Open a spring concert with this medley to establish immediate energy and audience connection. Pair it with other contemporary or film music to create a thematic program segment that appeals to families and younger listeners. It also serves as a fun pep band vehicle if your orchestra participates in athletic events.

• Reading and executing consistent rhythmic figures across contrasting styles
• Distinguishing between legato phrasing in lyrical passages and rhythmic articulation in groove-based sections
• Balancing melodic and harmonic roles within a full ensemble texture
• Responding to stylistic cues that reference contemporary music conventions
• Sustaining ensemble cohesion across a multi-section medley form