The Sound Of Music (Choral Highlights) (arr. John Leavitt): 2-Part Choral Octavo

Leavitt captures the infectious melodic gifts of Rodgers and Hammerstein's score while making it entirely accessible to developing singers. The 2-part voicing lets you program this without dividing your ensemble, and the selections feel substantial enough for a real concert moment, not filler.

Opening these arrangements is like stepping into a golden-age musical without pretension. Leavitt's orchestration shines through in the piano accompaniment, full of warmth and theatrical gesture, while the vocal lines sit comfortably in the voices and never condescend.

This works beautifully for middle school and early high school choirs, particularly those new to Broadway repertoire. It's also a solid fit for community or recreational ensembles seeking recognizable, singable material that audiences will connect with immediately.

• Keep the tempo conversational on the slower selections; younger singers often rush when trying to sound mature, so a light touch with the conductor's hand goes a long way.
• Balance the harmony parts equally with the melody line. In pop arrangements especially, it's tempting to let the tune dominate, but Leavitt's harmonic support deserves to be heard.
• Use the rhythmic character of each song to set rehearsal priorities: the syncopated pieces will need more time locked in than the straighter ballads.

Bundle this as a themed pops concert or family matinee program, mixing it with other lighter fare from your year. The Rodgers and Hammerstein connection also pairs naturally with a longer musical theater unit if you're building toward a spring concert.

• Two-part harmonic independence and blend
• Singing through phrase shapes in longer melodic lines
• Theatrical expression and character in popular music idiom
• Reading rhythm patterns with light syncopation