This was first played by young students with 2-3 experience on their instruments in a Northern Virginia school. Parts have been added to the original setting to make this music work for almost every instrument. The piano accompaniment is authentic and requires an advancing player. Some very easy parts are included so students just beginning to play can participate in any performance of this music.

The 6th page of the score is shown in the sample given here in order to show how the Woodwinds, Strings, and Brass are used going into a section where everybody has something to play.

Here is the instrumentation available in all the parts.

Flute 1 (or Violin), Flute 2 (easy – or Violin easy), Oboe (or Violin), Clarinet 1, Clarinet 2 (Easy), Alto Sax 1, Alto Sax 2 (easy), Tenor Sax (or Bass Clarinet), F Horn, Trumpet 1, Trumpet 2, Trumpet 3 (easy), Trombone 1, Trombone 2 (or other Basses including Cello and String Bass), Percussion 1 (Bells), Percussion 2 (Timpani, Sus. Cymbal), Piano (the original Messiah part), and a Full Score.

The music works with almost any size group of players in an Orchestra or Wind Ensemble setting, from a very small group to quite a large assembly. The recording illustrates exactly the portion of the Messiah used in the arrangement.

This was a student favorite for years, primarily because it was not complicated, but it still made the students sound good.

The music was created by Bob Walters, former member of the U.S. Air Force Band arranging staff, and writer for music groups that perform at the White House.