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Meredith Willson

Born: 1902. Died: 1984. Lived in: United States

Meredith Willson - musician, playwright and composer - was best known for the book, words, and music for The Music Man (1962). He wrote two other musical plays, including The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964). Many of his songs are standards, including "You and I", "May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You", "It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas", "Seventy-six Trombones", and "Till There Was You", which was a surprising song choice for a hit record by The Beatles. Willson left Mason City, the setting for "The Music Man", in 1919 to attend Damrosch Institute (now Juilliard) in New York. He played flute and piccolo in John Philip Sousa's band from 1921 to 1923 and then joined the New York Philharmonic Orchestra from 1924 to 1929. In 1930 he got a job in radio in California. Radio was his primary source of income over the following twenty-five years. He also composed several orchestral works during the '30s and '40s, including symphonies for The Great Dictator (1940) and The Little Foxes (1941). In 1951 the stage producers Martin and Feuer proposed that Willson write a musical comedy about his Iowa boyhood. With his common touch, they said, it was sure to be a hit. After seven years, he finally got what turned out to be his masterpiece onto the stage. "The Music Man", which Willson said was "an Iowan's attempt to pay tribute to his home state", premiered on Broadway in 1957. Robert Preston recreated his most famous role and Willson's most famous character, that of Professor Harold Hill, in the film production of The Music Man (1962).

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Media Articles
Obituary, New York Times, Meredith Willson; Wrote Music Man


Arrangements | Trax CDs

Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

Displaying 1-2 of 2 items.


Meredith Willson : The Music Man : Solo : Songbook : 073999467529 : 0881882062 : 00446752

Meredith Willson : The Music Man

8 vocal selections from one of the most beloved musicals ever. Includes: Gary, Indiana - Goodnight, My Someone - It's You - Lida Rose - My White Knight - Seventy Six Trombones - Till There Was You - The Wells Fargo Wagon.

Songlist: It's You, Gary, Indiana, Goodnight, My Someone, Lida Rose, My White Knight, Seventy Six Trombones, Till There Was You, The Wells Fargo Wagon

More details
Voicing: Solo | 20155b | Songbook | $17.95 | PVG


Meredith Willson : The Unsinkable Molly Brown : Solo : Songbook : 073999577907 : 0881882070 : 00447210

Meredith Willson : The Unsinkable Molly Brown

Songlist: Belly Up To The Bar Boys, If I Knew, I Ain't Down Yet, I'll Never Say No, Leadville Johnny Brown, Bon Jour (Language Song), Colorado, My Home, Dolce Far Niente, He's My Friend

More details
Voicing: Solo | 20361b | Songbook | $15.95 | Voice and Piano


Individual Folios

Displaying 1-18 of 18 items.


Goodnight My Someone : SATB : Steve Zegree : The Music Man : Songbook : 08621738 : 884088484293

Steve Zegree : Goodnight My Someone

This arrangement of the Meredith Willson classic from The Music Man will work equally well for a large concert group or a smaller ensemble such as a show or jazz choir. Smooth a cappella vocal lines and expressive harmonies just flow, creating a special moment in your concert!

Arranger: Steve Zegree | Musical: The Music Man

More details
Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.15 | A Cappella |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08621738 | Digital Version Available
Other Voicings: SSA


It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas : SSA : Anita Kerr : Anita Kerr Singers : Sheet Music : 08565632 : 884088352660

Anita Kerr : It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas

Arranger: Anita Kerr Performed By: Anita Kerr Singers

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Voicing: SSA | Sheet Music | $2.65 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08565632


It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas : SATB : Anita Kerr : Anita Kerr Singers : Sheet Music : 08565630 : 073999656305

Anita Kerr : It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas

Arranger: Anita Kerr Performed By: Anita Kerr Singers

More details
Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.65 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08565630


It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas : SATB : Mark Hayes : Sheet Music : 35027125 : 884088476229

Mark Hayes : It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas

Meredith Willson's famous song is wonderfully arranged for choirs by Mark Hayes and has a terrific piano accompaniment, as well as optional orchestral parts. The introduction is captivating and paints the magic of the holidays while the heart of the song ends with a big and broad finish. A choral classic for all ages! Available separately: SATB, SAB, 2-part, Digital Orchestration, StudioTrax CD. Duration: ca. 3:20.

Arranger: Mark Hayes

More details
Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.75 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 35027125 | Digital Version Available| Showtrax CD Available
Other Voicings: SAB, 2-Part, SSAA, TTBB, 2-Part, SAB


It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas : SATB : Mac Huff : Sheet Music : 08730161 : 073999301618

Mac Huff : It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas

Mac Huff's accessible arrangement of this popular pairing of songs from Meredith Willson's Here's Love will bring a seasonal sparkle to your holiday show. Your whole audience will be glad they came! Available: SATB, SAB, 2-Part, ShowTrax CD. Performance Time: Approx. 3:00.

Arranger: Mac Huff

More details
Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.25 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08730161
Other Voicings: SAB, 2-Part


It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas : 3-Part : Roger Emerson : Sheet Music : 08740507 : 073999405071

Roger Emerson : It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas

Here's the popular holiday song by Meredith Willson in an accessible Discovery series edition for younger choirs. Available: 2-Part, 3-Part Mixed. Performance Time: Approx. 2:30.

Arranger: Roger Emerson

More details
Voicing: 3-Part | Sheet Music | $1.70 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08740507
Other Voicings: 2-Part


It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas : SSAA : Mac Huff : Sheet Music : 08742500 : 073999425000

Mac Huff : It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas

Here's a campy doo-wop setting of the Meredith Willson classic. Don't miss it!

Arranger: Mac Huff

More details
Voicing: SSAA | Sheet Music | $2.25 | A Cappella |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08742500
Other Voicings: SATB


May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You : SATB : Mac Huff : Sheet Music : 08743527 : 073999088021

Mac Huff : May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You

The perfect way to end a concert or graduation ceremony, this Meredith Willson classic has been artfully crafted by Mac Huff. Available separately: SATB, SAB, and SSAA. ShowTrax CD also available. Performance time: Approx. 3:30.

Arranger: Mac Huff

More details
Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.15 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08743527
Other Voicings: SAB, SSAA


Music Man, The (Choral Highlights) : 3-Part : Mac Huff : The Music Man : Sheet Music : 00211492 : 888680661304

Mac Huff : Music Man, The (Choral Highlights)

This 4-minute mini-medley of songs from Meredith Willson's wonderful Broadway classic is a natural for younger choirs! Includes: Gary, Indiana; Seventy Six Trombones; The Wells Fargo Wagon.

Arranger: Mac Huff | Musical: The Music Man

More details
Voicing: 3-Part | Sheet Music | $3.25 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 00211492 | Showtrax CD Available
Other Voicings: 2-Part


Pick-a-little, Talk-a-little/Goodnight Ladies : 3-Part : Cristi Cary Miller : The Music Man : Sheet Music : 08552330 : 884088557539

Cristi Cary Miller : Pick-a-little, Talk-a-little/Goodnight Ladies

From the classic musical by Meredith Willson, The Music Man, these two songs will be tremendous fun to perform in this accessible edition! Your students will develop both rhythm, diction and precision and expressive legato phrasing as the songs combine! Available separately: 3-Part Mixed, 3-Part Treble, VoiceTrax CD. Duration: 2:50. Discovery Level 2.

Arranger: Cristi Cary Miller | Musical: The Music Man

More details
Voicing: 3-Part | Sheet Music | $2.50 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08552330 | Digital Version Available| Voicetrax CD Available
Other Voicings: 3-Part, 3-Part, SSA, 3-Part


Seventy Six Trombones : SATB : Gerald Myrow : The Music Man : Sheet Music : 08694899 : 073999151022

Gerald Myrow : Seventy Six Trombones

SATB

Arranger: Gerald Myrow | Lyricist: Meredith Willson | Musical: The Music Man

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Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.35 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08694899


Seventy Six Trombones : SATB : Ed Lojeski : The Music Man : Sheet Music : 08621188 : 073999211887

Ed Lojeski : Seventy Six Trombones

Meredith Willson's The Music Man is the hottest ticket on Broadway! This arrangement for concert choirs captures all the excitement of the stage and in addition to the classic melodies, you can even imitate the sound of the marching band instruments with your singers!Available separately: SATB, SAB and 2-Part. Performance Time: Approx. 3:55.

Arranger: Ed Lojeski | Lyricist: Meredith Willson | Musical: The Music Man

More details
Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.75 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08621188 | Showtrax CD Available
Other Voicings: 2-Part


The Wells Fargo Wagon : 2-Part : Mark Brymer : The Music Man : Sheet Music : 08721626 : 073999216264

Mark Brymer : The Wells Fargo Wagon

From the Kids on Broadway series. Easy countermelodies and strong voice leading highlight this classic tune from The Music Man. Available: 2-Part. Performance Time: Approx. 2:20.

Arranger: Mark Brymer | Lyricist: Meredith Willson | Musical: The Music Man

More details
Voicing: 2-Part | Sheet Music | $2.15 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08721626


The Wells Fargo Wagon : SATB : Roger Emerson : The Music Man : Sheet Music : 08551694 : 073999234435

Roger Emerson : The Wells Fargo Wagon

Roger Emerson's Discovery Broadway arrangement of this Meredith Willson showstopper captures all the excitement of the Broadway stage. An excellent showcase for your developing ensembles.Available separately: SATB, SAB and ShowTrax CD. Performance Time: Approx. 2:15.

Arranger: Roger Emerson | Lyricist: Meredith Willson | Musical: The Music Man

More details
Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.35 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08551694 | Showtrax CD Available
Other Voicings: SAB


Till There Was You : TTBB : Robert Rund : Storm Front : Music Man : Sheet Music : 00251420 : 812817021532

Robert Rund : Till There Was You

The show-stopping ballad from Willson's Tony Award-winning musical "The Music Man" has been paired with original lyrics and melodic material in this classic a cappella barbershop arrangement for men's quartets and ensembles.

Arranger: Robert Rund Performed By: Storm Front | Musical: Music Man

More details
Voicing: TTBB | Sheet Music | $3.20 | A Cappella | video
00251420


Till There Was You : SATB : Paris Rutherford : Music Man : Sheet Music : 00496282 : 196288072843

Paris Rutherford : Till There Was You

A quiet little town in Mid-western America is turned upside down when con-man Harold Hill arrives in town. His plans for escaping town without ever giving a music lesson is thrown a curve when he begins falling in love with piano teacher and librarian Marian. This love song cements our knowledge that she is falling for him and the outcome of the show is not what we expected.

Arranger: Paris Rutherford | Musical: Music Man

More details
Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.30 |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 00496282 | Digital Version Available
Other Voicings:


Till There Was You : SATB : Kirby Shaw : The Music Man : Sheet Music : 08621256 : 073999296914

Kirby Shaw : Till There Was You

Here is a touching standard from The Music Man in a beautiful a cappella setting by Kirby Shaw. The jazz harmonies will enchant your singers and your audience.

Arranger: Kirby Shaw | Lyricist: Meredith Willson | Musical: The Music Man

More details
Voicing: SATB | Sheet Music | $2.50 | A Cappella |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08621256
Other Voicings: SSAA


Till There Was You : TTBB : David Giardiniere : The Music Man : Sheet Music : 08747412 : 884088204136

David Giardiniere : Till There Was You

This lush a cappella setting of the love ballad from The Music Man will be a wonderful choice for more advanced men's ensembles from high school to adult. An ideal festival selection!

Arranger: David Giardiniere | Lyricist: Meredith Willson | Musical: The Music Man

More details
Voicing: TTBB | Sheet Music | $1.80 | A Cappella |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| 08747412
Other Voicings: SATB, SSA

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