There's No Business Like Show Business (arr. Ted Ricketts): String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Ricketts captures the infectious energy of Berlin's original without oversimplifying the arrangement. The optional violin solo on the verse gives you flexibility to feature a soloist or keep it straight, and that two-beat pulse locks in immediately, making this a genuine crowd-pleaser that doesn't feel like a concession.

Bright, optimistic, and propulsive. The two-beat swagger feels retro without being corny, and the familiar melody creates immediate audience connection. There's an elegance to how Ricketts voices the harmony that keeps the arrangement from feeling thin, even as it remains transparent enough for younger students to hear themselves.

String orchestras at the intermediate level (Grade 3) who need a reliable pops selection that works for spring concerts, community events, or programs pairing classical and Broadway repertoire. Directors looking for something with genuine charm that doesn't require extended rehearsal time will find this especially valuable.

• Keep the two-beat feel bouncy but grounded; resist the temptation to let it become rushed, especially in the opening statement.
• If using the violin solo, give your soloist space to breathe and shape the phrase lyrically, then bring the full ensemble back with punch.
• Balance the melodic line across your first violins and violas so the tune sits clearly without the accompaniment drowning it out.

Schedule this as a concert opener or as a palate cleanser between heavier classical works. It works equally well as a standalone feature or as part of a Broadway medley, and it's short enough to pair with another selection if your program slots are limited.

• Rhythmic accuracy in 2/2 meter
• Stylistic clarity in Broadway idiom
• Ensemble balance with melody and accompaniment voices
• Optional solo awareness and support from the ensemble