So Long, Farewell (from The Sound Of Music): Choral Instrumental Pak
By Richard Rodgers / By Oscar Hammerstein II / Arranged by Ed Lojeski
Item: 35-PK00096877
$10.00
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| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| So Long, Farewell (from The Sound Of Music) - Violin: Choral Instrumental Pak | $7.00 | |
| So Long, Farewell (from The Sound Of Music) - Bb Clarinet: Choral Instrumental Pak | $7.00 |
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Description
Say "Goodnight" to your audience just like the Von Trapp family with this favorite from The Sound of Music. A perfect closer or encore! Performance Time: Approx. 2:40.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00096877
More about this title
About the Composer: Richard Rodgers
Richard Rodgers (1902-1979) revolutionized American musical theater by crafting melodies that lodged themselves in the public consciousness for generations. His gift was for writing songs that felt inevitable once heard, whether in intimate character moments or sweeping ensemble numbers. For music educators, Rodgers represents a masterclass in vocal writing that sits comfortably in untrained voices while remaining sophisticated enough to reward skilled singers.
Rodgers's body of work demonstrates how strong melodic writing transcends genre. Teachers return to his songs repeatedly because the music itself supports learning; rhythms are clear, phrases breathe naturally, and harmonies feel both accessible and genuinely musical. His partnership with Oscar Hammerstein II produced some of the most enduring material in American musical theater.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures the tender warmth of one of theater's most beloved finales while giving choirs a genuine ensemble moment that lands with emotional weight. The string accompaniment supports the voices without overwhelming them, and the familiar melody means singers can focus on ensemble blend and dynamics rather than fighting unfamiliar intervallic terrain.
What to expect
Wistful and warm without being saccharine. The melody carries a gentle quality that invites singers to communicate genuine feeling, and the string accompaniment wraps the voices in a softly supportive embrace. The piece feels like a genuine farewell rather than a theatrical moment.
Who it's for
Choirs with intermediate to advanced reading skills will connect with this material most naturally, though strong middle school programs with focused rehearsal can bring it off. Directors programming concert finales, pops concerts, or musicals-focused repertoire will find this piece earns its affection honestly rather than relying on novelty.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the text with musicality; the lyrics carry meaning, but Rodgers's melody should never feel subordinate to word clarity.
- Shape the phrases through the accompaniment cues; the strings outline the harmonic movement, so listen to those changes as guides for breath and phrasing.
- Resist oversentimentalizing the final cadence. Let the music's own design create the emotional impact rather than dragging tempos or overselling dynamics.
- Consider how the piece sits in your overall concert; even as a closer, it works best when the tempo feels purposeful rather than wallowing.
How to use it
Reserve this for your final concert of the season or as an encore that sends the audience home with something memorable on their minds. It works particularly well as the transition out of a musicals program or as a coda to a pops concert. The two minute forty second timeframe also makes it a smart choice when you need a substantial closer without derailing pacing.
Skills your students will build
- Blending voices within a sustained melodic line
- Responding to string accompaniment cues for phrase shaping
- Communicating text while maintaining legit vocal technique
- Ensemble balance across multiple harmonic parts