The New Girl in Town (from Hairspray): String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Bob Cerulli's arrangement captures the infectious energy of the original without overwhelming young string players. The syncopated rhythms stay true to the 1950s rock-and-roll spirit while remaining playable at Grade 2, giving students the genuine thrill of performing a piece from a beloved film.

This arrangement channels the infectious optimism and rhythmic swagger of 1950s rock and roll. The melody bounces with teenage energy and genuine charm, supported by steady groove and bright, driving accompaniment that makes even young ensembles feel like they're part of something bigger.

String orchestras at the Grade 2 level will find this arrangement immediately engaging and accessible. Students who know *Hairspray* from film or stage will bring extra enthusiasm to rehearsals, and players of all experience levels will develop confidence through a piece that sounds fun and contemporary.

• Establish the groove early in rehearsal by tapping the underlying eighth-note pulse before adding pitched material; this locks the band into the "feel" Cerulli intentionally preserved from the film version.
• Balance the syncopated lines so they sing rather than sound choppy; encourage players to think of these rhythms as vocal phrases rather than technical obstacles.
• Keep the tempo steady and energetic (the track runs 2:10), resisting any drag in the ensemble's momentum during the more rhythmically active sections.

Schedule this for a spring concert celebrating musical theater or contemporary film scores, pairing it alongside other pop arrangements to create a themed set. It also works as a morale-boosting piece mid-season when students need a break from heavier pedagogical material.

• Reading and executing syncopated rhythms accurately
• Maintaining a steady groove in ensemble context
• Balancing melody and accompaniment lines in rock-and-roll style
• Playing with rhythmic drive and confidence at tempo