The Way We Were Sheet Music Preview

The Way We Were: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Arranged by James Kazik

Grade: 2

Item: 35-PK00261449

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$45.00

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Description
Written for the 1973 movie of the same name starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford, this iconic ballad went on to win an Oscar for Best Original Song and to become a popular standard recorded by countless artists. Nicely arranged for the concert stage. Dur: 2:40

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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
SKU: 35-PK00261449

More about this title

Why we love this

Kazik's Grade 2 setting opens up this Oscar-winning standard to bands that might otherwise lack the instrumentation or reading level for more complex versions. The arrangement respects the song's achingly beautiful melodic line while keeping parts accessible and singable for young musicians. It's the kind of repertoire that reminds students why they play in the first place.

What to expect

A nostalgic embrace. The arrangement captures the quiet yearning of the original ballad, with warm harmonic colors and a melody that sits naturally in the band's sweet spot. At 2:40, it's brief enough to feel intimate yet substantial enough to be satisfying.

Who it's for

Concert bands at the intermediate level who want to program something recognizable and emotionally mature without overwhelming less experienced readers. This works equally well for community bands seeking accessible repertoire with real musicianship demands.

How to get the most out of it

  • Treat the melody with rubato. This is a ballad, not a march; allow your lead voice (clarinets and trumpet) breathing room to shape the line rather than lock into a metronomic pulse.
  • Balance inner voices carefully so the harmonic richness doesn't bury the tune. Mark those inner woodwind parts in rehearsal and ask players to listen across sections.
  • Bring out the moment of greatest emotional intensity (likely in the final phrase) by gradually intensifying dynamics and allowing the full band to bloom without losing clarity.
  • Work the dynamic journey from the first note. A piece this short must use every dynamic marking intentionally to create shape and keep listeners engaged.

How to use it

This pairs beautifully in a program that mixes standards with original band compositions. Consider programming it as a standalone feature piece or as part of a Broadway/film music set alongside other recognizable tunes. It also serves as an excellent vehicle for teaching expressive conducting to younger bands without the complexity of a longer or denser score.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustained legit phrasing and breath management in ballad tempos
  • Dynamic control and shaping within a single continuous line
  • Listening to and balancing harmonic voices beneath a melody
  • Responding to subtle conductor gesture in a non-march context

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