The Wizard of Oz Instrumental Solos for Strings: Violin Book & CD

These arrangements capture the theatrical warmth that made the original score legendary, while staying grounded in what Level 2-3 violinists can actually execute with musicality. The inclusion of "The Jitterbug" alongside the famous standards gives students a chance to play material they might not encounter elsewhere, and the live demonstration recordings provide a clear model for how to shape these familiar melodies without overwinding them.

Playing these arrangements brings the warmth and theatrical elegance of 1930s Hollywood cinema into the practice room. The music carries a nostalgic but never saccharine quality, with moments of genuine joy in the faster passages and real depth in the balladic material. Each melody feels designed to make the instrument sing in a way that feels both achievable and genuinely rewarding.

Intermediate violinists (Level 2-3) who want to work with melody-driven material that has genuine harmonic interest and emotional weight. This book serves string students who have solid intonation and basic vibrato control but are still building their musicality and confidence with longer, shaped phrases.

• Balance phrase length with breathing room; Arlen's melodies want space to breathe, so avoid rushing between musical ideas even when the tempo feels comfortable.
• Listen to the recorded accompaniment before rehearsal to internalize how your part fits the harmonic landscape, especially in "Over the Rainbow" where the accompaniment carries important harmonic color.
• Shape the vibrato intentionally in the sustained passages. These melodies reward a warmer, wider vibrato in the legato moments and a tighter vibrato when you need clarity in faster passages.
• Pay attention to the dynamics marked in "We're Off to See the Wizard"; the orchestral character shifts frequently, and your dynamic choices help define which section of the theater the audience hears.

These pieces work beautifully in a spring or end-of-year concert that aims for accessible, familiar programming without sacrificing artistic substance. Pair one or two selections with your string ensemble repertoire to create a lighter segment of a longer recital, or use them as a showcase for students ready to perform confidently in front of an audience familiar with the material.

• Shaping longer melodic lines across multiple phrases
• Playing with consistent intonation in sustained legato passages
• Dynamic control and color variation within a single melody
• Reading and responding to interpretive markings in arranged music
• Coordination between vibrato intensity and musical phrase shape