Something's Coming/Tonight (from West Side Story) (arr. Ed Lojeski): Choral Instrumental Pak
By Leonard Bernstein / By Stephen Sondheim / Arranged by Ed Lojeski
Item: 35-PK00515681
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Description
The music from Leonard Bernstein's landmark Broadway musical West Side Story has become an important part of our musical heritage. With lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, these two songs create a powerful showcase for choral groups in schools and communities. Available for SATB, SAB, SSA, Instrumental Pak (parts for Trumpet I II, Tenor Sax, Trombone, Synthesizer, Guitar, Bass and Drums) and ShowTrax CD. Performance Time: Approx. 5:00
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00515681
More about this title
About the Composer: Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein revolutionized American musical theater by composing works that demanded serious musical sophistication from Broadway audiences. His genius lay in fusing classical compositional techniques with popular idioms, creating scores that work equally well in concert halls and on stage. West Side Story stands as his masterpiece, a work that transformed what musical theater could be and remains central to music education because it demonstrates how complex harmony, innovative orchestration, and genuine emotional depth can coexist with accessibility.
Beyond the theater, Bernstein shaped generations of musicians through his Young People's Concerts televised nationally, proving that classical music could engage everyone. His legacy as both composer and educator means his works function as gateways: students encounter his music first as thrilling entertainment, then discover the rigorous craft underneath. For choral directors, arranging West Side Story into ensemble repertoire honors Bernstein's belief that great music belongs in all classrooms and concert halls.
Why we love this
Ed Lojeski's arrangement captures the theatrical urgency of these two contrasting moments without requiring a pit orchestra. The instrumental parts are idiomatically written so that rock rhythm section players and concert band musicians can sit beside each other authentically. Programming West Side Story signals to your community that choral music can be contemporary, emotionally immediate, and genuinely fun to perform without sacrificing musical substance.
What to expect
"Something's Coming" propels forward with restless anticipation, its syncopated rhythms and lean orchestration creating forward momentum. "Tonight" shifts into a world of longing and intimacy, where Bernstein's lush harmonies wrap around the melody like the starlit fire escape where the lovers meet. Together, these songs capture the entire emotional arc of young love colliding with impossible circumstances.
Who it's for
Choral directors seeking Broadway repertoire that demands real musicianship from singers and instrumental players alike. This arrangement works for school choirs with access to a small band, community theater productions doubling as concert music, or festivals where you want to program something both recognizable and substantive.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the choral voices so the harmony clarity of Bernstein's writing emerges; these melodies sit in exposed ranges and muddy mixing obscures the compositional detail.
- Have your rhythm section rehearse independently first. The synth, guitar, bass, and drums need locking precision before adding choir and horns, or the energy dissipates.
- Mark the tempo transitions between "Something's Coming" and "Tonight" deliberately in rehearsal. The shift from narrative excitement to intimate romance requires a collective breath, not a mechanical cut.
How to use it
Place this pairing as a concert centerpiece that gives audiences permission to engage with musical theater seriously. It works as a spring or winter showcase closer, or as part of a program exploring American musical theater alongside concert works. The five-minute span makes it ideal for assembly performances or community events where you need one piece that delivers maximum impact and memorability.
Skills your students will build
- Singing syncopated rhythms in ensemble contexts
- Sustaining legato phrasing across harmony changes in "Tonight"
- Coordinating with jazz-influenced instrumental accompaniment
- Shaping dynamic contrast between verses and climactic moments
- Balancing lyrical melody with underlying rhythmic drive