Orchestral Works
The Wizdom of Oz (Dance Version)
Music by Candace Forest
Based on the Wizard of Oz stories by L. Frank Baum
Scored for Dance
Originally commissioned by Mauryne Allan’s Mountain Dance Theatre of Vancouver, Canada, this bright and engaging score has everything one would expect from America’s greatest fairytale – fun, enchantment, excitement, danger and jubilation.
Award-winning composer, Candace Forest, has created a completely new musical adventure following Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion down the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City and beyond. Forest’s score gracefully dances between musical styles from classical and jazz to rock and gospel and is available for either a small ensemble of musicians or full orchestra. Scenes include The Emerald City Rag, Crows’ Feet, Glinda’s Glide, Witch’s Brew, Rhapsody on Tin and the sublime Paw de Deux for a girl and her dog! Use of a guest Narrator is optional. The Wizdom of Oz has no seasonal boundaries and is especially appropriate for both winter and spring holiday programming.
The Wizdom of Oz was premiered in 1979 and played to sold-out houses, receiving standing ovations after every performance. The production was re-mounted by Mountain Dance Theatre in 1985 with the same happy results.
The Wizdom of Oz (Orchestral Version)
Music by Candace Forest
Based on the Wizard of Oz stories by L. Frank Baum
Orchestral Version with Narrator & Children’s Chorus
Candace Forest has created a completely new musical adventure following Dorothy and her friends down the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City and beyond. The Wizdom of Oz was commissioned by Mauryne Allan’s Mountain Dance Theatre of Vancouver, Canada and enjoyed long runs to sold-out houses in two different productions. This bright and breezy score has everything one would expect from America’s greatest fairytale – fun, enchantment, excitement, danger and jubilation!
Forest’s score dances between musical styles from classical and jazz to rock and gospel, delightfully highlighting different orchestral sections and soloists in numbers including The Emerald City Rag, Crows’ Feet, Glinda’s Glide, Witch’s Brew and Rise Up, Children.
In its simplest form, The Wizdom of Oz is performed with a guest narrator and small children’s chorus. If space permits, dancers can be incorporated into the program, providing yet another possibility for artistic partnership to broaden community involvement.
The Wizdom of Oz has no seasonal boundaries and is especially appropriate for both winter and spring holiday programming. Audiences of children and adults alike will be tapping their toes down the Yellow Brick Road.