The Windmills of Your Mind: Choral Instrumental Pak
As performed by Michel Legrand / As performed by Marilyn Bergman / Arranged by Paris Rutherford
Item: 35-PK00339211
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Description
The wistful atmosphere evoked by this classic song from the 1960s offers a wonderful opportunity for beginning and developing jazz/pop choirs to build intonation and style through the Choral Explorations jazz series.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00339211
More about this title
About the Artist: Michel Legrand
Michel Legrand stands as one of the most prolific film composers of the twentieth century, with a gift for crafting melodies that linger long after the credits roll. His work spans decades of cinema, from French New Wave films to Hollywood productions, and his understanding of how music serves narrative made him a sought-after collaborator for songwriters and arrangers across multiple genres.
Why we love this
This Choral Explorations arrangement captures what makes the original so enduring: a gentle, almost hypnotic quality that gives singers room to explore jazz phrasing and intonation without overwhelming them. The wistful character of the melody creates natural opportunities for teaching jazz articulation and breath control in a way that feels organic rather than forced.
What to expect
Dreamy yet grounded, the song inhabits a thoughtful space where minor harmonies create subtle melancholy without descending into darkness. Each phrase seems to spiral gently inward, inviting singers to explore the tender spaces between the notes.
Who it's for
Beginning and developing jazz and pop choirs looking for material that builds both musicianship and style without excessive technical demands. This works equally well for singers encountering jazz vocabulary for the first time and for developing ensembles ready to refine their approach to standards.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the phrase with gradual dynamic rises and falls rather than sudden changes; the song's circular quality demands subtle direction that reflects its introspective mood
- Address any tuning drift by having the ensemble hum the inner harmonic voices during rehearsal before adding text, which clarifies chord function and locks vertical balance
- Treat rhythmic precision as essential to the jazzy feel; even small timing adjustments in response sections can shift the groove from stiff to swinging
- Layer in the recorded accompaniment gradually during rehearsals so singers develop independence before relying on it for performance security
How to use it
Pair this with other standards from the Choral Explorations series to build a cohesive jazz set, or use it as a palate cleanser between larger choral works in a concert featuring multiple genres. Its reflective quality also makes it a natural fit for winter concerts or programs exploring the intersection of American songwriting and cinema.
Skills your students will build
- Jazz phrasing and articulation in a vocal context
- Singing in tune through functional harmony recognition
- Breathing and line control across longer melodic arcs
- Responding to a recorded rhythm section while maintaining ensemble independence
- Stylistic awareness of popular standards from the 1960s songbook