Over the Rainbow by Arlen, arranged by Zoë Booth for four or more flutes/flute choir

As sung by Eva Cassidy!

‘Over the Rainbow’ (lyrics by E.Y. Harburg) is one of his best known within a hugely successful career as a songwriter for Broadway and film. ‘Over the Rainbow’ first featured in the film “The Wizard of Oz” (1939), where it was sung by Judy Garland; it has since been sung by many artists worldwide, in a variety of styles. Eva Cassidy’s version - for solo female voice and acoustic guitar – translates perfectly for flute ensemble, using beautiful chord choices, and exploring a more tender approach to the song. Melody lines in this arrangement are shared between all players, to provide interest for each musician, and it is a real ensemble piece - observant dynamic changes and rhythmic precision will develop a full and sensitive expressive range.

4 mins approx

Elementary to intermediate

PB047

Contents

One score and the following separate parts:

Flute 1

Flute 2

Flute 3

Flute 4

Alto Flute (optional)

Bass Flute (optional)

Bb Clarinet (optional)

Reviews

Review from Ella and Gabi, adult flute quartet members

"We are a flute quartet meeting monthly to make music, chat and eat cake; we have all been playing for many years and are over grade 8 standard. We recently ordered music to play at a friends’ wedding; Zoë was extremely helpful at advising on what music would be suitable. We love Over the Rainbow - it really is the Eva Cassidy version, and plays beautifully. We expected it to be more like the classic Over the Rainbow but it has much more to it than that. The melody is passed around the parts which we like because the group is fairly well-matched."

Review from Ruth, adult flute choir member

"As a choir we played this [Over the Rainbow] with four flutes and the optional alto. The melody is arranged with lots of beautiful interweaving parts underneath and around it, to create a smooth, emotional piece. The climax comes with all the parts joining together underneath the melody.  The rhythms and range make this arrangement accessible for most flute groups, and it gave ours the opportunity to really work on the texture of the music, on which parts needed to be brought out or played quietly at different times. This is a favourite piece within our group."