The Sound Of Music (Choral Highlights) (arr. John Leavitt): SSA Choral Octavo

John Leavitt's SSA arrangement captures the warmth and accessibility of these beloved songs without sacrificing the sophistication that makes them rewarding to sing. Rather than simply paring down the original orchestrations, he thoughtfully redistributes material across the voicing, creating moments where the harmonies breathe and individual lines shine. A director can program this as a self-contained medley or cherry-pick selections that complement other concert repertoire.

These arrangements radiate the optimism and sincerity that made The Sound of Music a cultural phenomenon. The writing invites warmth and unforced joy, with harmonies that feel both accessible and genuinely musical. Whether tackling the spirited energy of the title song or the tenderness of the quieter moments, performers discover why these melodies have outlasted trends and fads.

SSA choirs from middle school through community ensemble levels will find material suited to their range and blend capabilities. Directors seeking Broadway content that transcends novelty and offers genuine musical substance will appreciate how Leavitt's craftsmanship elevates familiar material. Singers benefit from working with tunes that live in their ears, which frees them to focus on ensemble balance, intonation, and expressive singing.

• Treat the text with theatrical intention. These lyrics tell a story, and even in excerpt form, each phrase deserves clarity of diction and emotional specificity.
• Balance the upper voices against the altos. Leavitt's arrangement often gives substantive material to the third part; resist the urge to submerge them in service of the sopranos.
• Allow the familiar melodies to breathe rather than rushing them. Singers often accelerate unconsciously when they know a tune well; establish a steady tempo early and anchor it through transitions between songs.
• Use dynamic contrast between selections to maintain interest across the 23-page score. What works as a bright, energetic cut-through number may need a warmer, more intimate approach moments later.

Consider programming this as a spring or early summer selection when choirs can lean into lighter material without sacrificing musical substance. The medley works equally well as a full concert feature or as individual selections scattered throughout a program to create stylistic variety. The 23-page length allows flexibility; you might perform the entire set or select three to five songs that serve your concert structure.

• Balancing three independent vocal lines in close harmony
• Sustaining legit singing technique across a broad range of dynamics
• Maintaining steady intonation in the upper tessituras
• Coordinating rhythmic precision with theatrical phrasing
• Following through-composed transitions that move between songs
• Shaping phrases to serve text and emotion rather than melody alone