The Wizard of Oz -- Selections: Trumpet Book

Opening this book feels like stepping into Munchkinland itself. You'll find melodies that live comfortably in the middle and upper register, lyrical passages that let you sing through the horn, and moments of infectious joy that make the trumpet shine. These songs carry genuine emotional weight alongside their theatrical charm.

Trumpet players in bands or sectional rehearsals who are ready for accessible melodic material with cultural weight. This collection works well for intermediate students who want to play familiar, audience-pleasing music without stretching into advanced ranges or complex rhythmic patterns.

• Shape the phrase contours to match the emotional arc of each character's song. "If I Only Had a Brain" needs a wistful, searching quality, while "The Merry Old Land of Oz" thrives on bright, forward energy.
• Balance lyrical playing in slower selections like "Lullaby League and Lollypop Guild" with crisp articulation in the march-like passages of "We're Off to See the Wizard."
• Listen to the orchestral film recordings to absorb the original arrangement styles and tempos, then adapt them to your ensemble's sound and abilities.
• Mark dynamics clearly in your part. These melodies rely on expressive contrasts to convey character and keep the listener engaged across nine different tunes.

Create a "classics" concert that celebrates film music, pairing these selections with other movie themes or songbook arrangements. You might also use individual selections as warm-up repertoire or feature different tunes in sectional performances throughout the school year. The familiarity of the material makes it ideal for community performances where audiences know and love these songs.

• Melodic phrasing and musical storytelling in familiar contexts
• Dynamic control across a range of moods and character expressions
• Comfortable facility in the trumpet's middle to upper register
• Style awareness across march-like rhythms, lyrical ballads, and ensemble textures
• Quick learning through recognizable material