The Wizard of Oz: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
A Whirlwind Journey
Music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by E. Y. Harburg, incidental music by Herbert Stothart, George Bassman, and Felix Mendelssohn / arr. Steven H. Brook
Grade: 4
Item: 00-PK-0006080
$64.00
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Description
2014 marks the 75th anniversary of The Wizard of OZ, one of the most loved movies of all time. Relive the cinematic masterpiece through this fast-paced miniature re-creation, punctuated by points of narration, in a whirlwind journey over the rainbow. The tunes are listed in the score and parts. (8:00) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Wizard of Oz: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Pop Concert String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
248
SKU:
00-PK-0006080
More about this title
About the Composer: Harold Arlen
Harold Arlen (1905-1986) composed some of the most enduring melodies in American popular music, with a gift for writing songs that balance sophistication with immediate appeal. His work on The Wizard of Oz became the standard by which movie musicals are measured; the score earned the Academy Award for Best Original Score and established Arlen as a master of theatrical orchestration.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures the sweep and charm of the original film score while remaining thoroughly playable for intermediate string orchestras. The inclusion of narration points anchors the musical journey and gives students a sense of dramatic arc beyond the individual tunes. At eight minutes, it delivers real substance without demanding an entire rehearsal block to prepare.
What to expect
A cinematic experience distilled into eight minutes of string writing. You're swept along by familiar melodies that sparkle with orchestral color, punctuated by moments of wonder and warmth that remind you why this story still matters.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the intermediate level looking for a concert piece with recognizable appeal and genuine musical substance. This works equally well for a full concert program, a pops or light music festival, or a community performance where family attendance matters.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the string voices carefully during the lyrical passages; secondary melodies often sit in inner voices and deserve clarity so the musical storytelling stays intact.
- Use the narration points as rehearsal landmarks. These breaks give your ensemble time to reset and create natural drama without rushing the transitions between medleys.
- Shape phrases with the movie's emotional arc in mind. The tunes are beloved, but they'll shine when you let dynamic contrast reflect the characters' journeys.
How to use it
Program this as the centerpiece of a pops or family concert, where it serves as both a crowd pleaser and a musical performance your ensemble can take pride in. It also works well as a contest or festival selection at the Grade 4 level, offering judges well-known melodies arranged with care and sophistication.
Skills your students will build
- Ensemble balance across multiple string voices in a complex texture
- Maintaining tempo continuity through orchestral medley segments
- Dynamic shaping and phrase control in melodic writing
- Coordination with narration and dramatic pacing
- Reading conductor cues and managing transitions between musical sections