Selections from Wicked (arr. Jay Bocook): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Jay Bocook's arrangement captures the emotional arc of Wicked without losing the melodic strength that makes these songs instantly recognizable to students. The medley structure moves fluidly between the show's signature moments, and the Grade 4 scoring balances accessibility with genuine musical substance. Programming this arrangement taps into genuine enthusiasm from student musicians who know the show's story and care about the outcome.

The arrangement sweeps through defiance, wonder, and quiet triumph in turn. You'll hear soaring brass lines rise above propulsive rhythms, intimate woodwind solos emerge from fuller textures, and genuine emotional depth woven throughout what could have been a simple pop medley.

Concert bands at the intermediate level seeking material that energizes students through connection to contemporary musical theater. This works equally well for groups new to Broadway arrangements and those building a substantial theater repertoire.

• Maintain clear phrase architecture across the medley transitions. Each song carries distinct emotional weight, so shape the musical line thoughtfully rather than rushing from one selection to the next.
• Balance the woodwind and brass writing in the outer sections. Bocook distributes thematic material generously, and blend matters as much as balance here.
• Let the section on 'Defying Gravity' breathe. This moment carries the show's emotional climax, and students will instinctively respond to its soaring character if you allow space for the music to expand.
• Anchor the rhythm section steadily without dragging. Broadway grooves benefit from slight forward motion even at moderate tempos.

Consider this for a spring pops concert, a community outreach program that draws families interested in Broadway music, or a concert alongside other contemporary musical theater arrangements. It also serves as an engaging vehicle for students in the middle school or early high school years where theatrical connection drives musical investment.

• Shaping extended phrases across song transitions
• Balancing exposed melodic lines with harmonic support
• Responding to theatrical character within an ensemble context
• Managing dynamic contrast in mid-range Grade 4 scoring
• Executing clean articulation in mixed rhythmic passages