The Wrong Note Rag (from Wonderful Town): Brass Quintet Conductor Score & Parts

Fred Sturm's arrangement captures the infectious swagger of Bernstein's original while giving each brass player something genuinely musical to do. The rhythmic drive and syncopation that define ragtime sit naturally in brass voices, and the chart balances tutti punch with moments where individual lines shine through.

Jaunty, clever, and propulsive. The piece bounces with the comedic energy of its source material, full of unexpected harmonic turns and rhythmic hiccups that feel delightfully wrong, which is, of course, the whole point.

Brass quintets at the advanced high school or college level looking for repertoire with Broadway credentials and real rhythmic teeth. This works equally well for groups pursuing contest success or simply wanting something that audiences recognize and players enjoy.

• Keep the syncopated rhythms crisp and articulate; the piece loses its character if the attacks soften or blur together.
• Let the tuba lock in firmly on the harmonic foundation, it's what allows the upper voices to float their syncopation.
• Shape the melodic lines with subtle dynamics rather than dramatic swells; the writing speaks for itself.

Pair this with other American classics or use it to open a program with immediate audience connection. A brass quintet concert program gains real variety when you include a piece rooted in musical theater alongside standard chamber repertoire.

• Syncopated rhythms in traditional ragtime style
• Brass ensemble balance and articulation coordination
• Harmonic awareness in chromatic and jazz-influenced progressions
• Stylistic authenticity in swing-influenced articulation and phrasing