Star Wars Trilogy

John Williams

General Info

Year: 1977 / 1997
Duration: c. 19:30
Difficulty: V-1/2 (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Alfred Publishing
Cost: Score and Parts - $200.00 | Score Only - $50.00

Movements

1. The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme) - 3:10
2. Princess Leia's Theme - 4:25
3. Battle in the Forest (The Forest Battle) - 3:45
4. Yoda's Theme - 3:30
5. Star Wars (Main Theme) - 2:50

Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo (doubling Flute IV)
Flute I-II-III (II doubling Alto Flute, III doubling C Piccolo II)
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III-IV-V-VI (I-II doubling B-flat Piccolo, V-VI doubling Flugelhorn)
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Piano/Celeste
Harp
Timpani
Percussion, including:

Bass Drum
Bongos
Chimes
Cowbells (tuned)
Crash Cymbals
Field Drum
Glockenspiel
Marimba
Snare Drum
Steel Plate
Suspended Cymbal
Tambourine
Triangle
Tom-Tom (3)
Vibraphone
Woodblocks (tuned)
Xylophone

Errata

In Parts:

Horn III-IV, Mvt.1, m.46 and 47: Should be G on the first 3 beats, leaving the F# on b. 4

Program Notes

John Williams has rightfully earned a place in the hearts of all film lovers with his numerous brilliant scores to some of the best movies of the last half century. Capable of writing music ranging from tender, intimate moods to galactic battles, Williams carefully constructs each score as a separate, freestanding entity, not just background snippets. The selections in this exciting collection include The Imperial March (Darth Vader Theme), Princess Leia's Theme, The Battle in the Forest, Yoda's Theme, and Star Wars® (Main Theme).

- Program Note from publisher

In 1977, George Lucas's highly imaginative entertainment experience first transported an audience to an unknown galaxy thousands of light years from Earth. The Star Wars experience was a blending of contemporary science fiction with the romantic fantasies of sword and sorcery. The story follows a young man, Luke Skywalker, on a journey through exotic worlds in a perpetual struggle of good against evil and the eventual success of love conquering all. Star Wars and its two companion films, Return of the Jedi and The Empire Strikes Back, form the center of a planned nine-part historical series.

The five movements of the Trilogy were selected by arranger Donald Hunsberger to display the excitement, beauty, and contrast in John Williams’s soundtrack for these first three films. The Imperial March, subtitled Darth Vader's Theme, represents the evil might of the Galactic Empire and the supreme villainy of its leader. Princess Leia's Theme is much gentler and pays tribute to the romantic music of the early film heroines. Musical themes are scattered and rapidly shifting in the Battle in the Forest, reflecting the cuts in the movie as the ground battle begins. The almost comedic theme of the teddy bear-like Ewoks contrasts against the huge, but mechanical, armament of the Empire's forces. The old Jedi Master of Dagobah is honored in Yoda's Theme. The gentleness and understanding of the Master is conveyed in the ethereal setting of the swamp where Yoda harnesses the power of the Force to raise Luke's crashed X-Wing fighter. The transition into the heroic Star Wars (Main Theme) seems natural as the power of good, embodied in the Force, is triumphant.

- Program Note by Foothill Symphonic Winds concert program, 8 March 2015

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

University of Oklahoma (Norman) Wind Symphony (William Wakefield, conductor) - 19 February 2023 (Mvt. II, Princess Leia’s Theme)
Arizona State University (Tempe) Wind Ensemble (Jason Caslor, conductor) - 27 January 2023
Rowan University (Glassboro, N.J.) Wind Ensemble (Joseph Higgins, conductor) - 12 December 2022
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Wind Ensemble (Christopher J. Woodruff, conductor) – 27 May 2022
Eastman School of Music (Rochester, N.Y.) Wind Ensemble (Donald Hunsberger, conductor) - 15 April 2022
Arkansas Tech University (Russellville) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Daniel A. Belongia, conductor) - 6 March 2022
University of Louisiana Monroe Wind Ensemble (Derle R. Long, conductor) - 4 May 2021
University of Massachusetts Wind Ensemble (Matthew Westgate, conductor) - 1 May 2021
University of Massachusetts (Amherst) Wind Ensemble (Matthew Westgate, conductor) - 1 May 2021
University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg) Symphonic Winds (Colin R. McKenzie, conductor) 26 February 2021
University of South Carolina (Columbia) Wind Ensemble (Cormac Cannon, conductor) – 14 February 2020
University of Kansas (Lawrence) Wind Ensemble (Paul Popiel, conductor) – 1 February 2020
Lamar University (Beaumont, Tx.) Wind Ensemble (Andrew McMahan, conductor) – 26 November 2019
University of North Florida (Jacksonville) Wind Symphony (Erin Bodnar, conductor) – 17 November 2019
Nicholls State University (Thibodaux, La.) Wind Ensemble (Jason Ladd, conductor) – 24 October 2019
University of Wyoming (Laramie) Wind Symphony (Robert Belser, conductor) – 26 September 2019
Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, Md.) Preparatory Wind Orchestra (Harland D. Parker, conductor) – 11 May 2019
Texas A&M University (Lubbock) Wind Symphony (Timothy Rhea, conductor) - 28 April 2019
Youngstown (Ohio) State University Wind Ensemble (Stephen L. Gage, conductor) – 17 April 2019
University of Oregon (Eugene) Wind Ensemble (David M. Jacobs, conductor) – 13 November 2018
United States Military Academy Band (West Point, N.Y.) (Richard Winkels, conductor) – 21 July 2018
Northshore Concert Band (Evanston, Ill.) (Mallory Thompson, conductor) - 17 June 2018
Wisconsin Lutheran College (Milwaukee) Concert Band (James Baxter, conductor) – 11 May 2018
McDaniel College (Westminster, Md.) Band (Linda Kirkpatrick, conductor) 4 May 2018

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

Great Movie Adventures (arr. Sweeney) (Flex instrumentation) (2006)
Highlights from "Jurassic Park" (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Vinson) (1993)
Raiders March (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Lavender) (1981/2017)
Selections from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Vinson) (2016)
Selections from "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Murtha) (2017)
Selections from "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Vinson) (2019)

All Wind Works

The Adventures of Han (arr. Lavender) (2018)
The Adventures of Mutt (arr. Lavender) (2008)
Adventures on Earth (tr. Lavender) (1982/2007)
America, the Dream Goes On (arr. Higgins) (1989)
American Journey (arr. Lavender) (1999/2012)
At the Movies with John Williams (arr. Justin Williams) (2016)
Call of the Champions (arr. Moss) (2002)
Cantina Band (arr. Kalver) (1977/2014)
Catch Me If You Can (arr. Bocook) (2011)
Chillers and Thrillers (arr. Moss) (2006)
The Complete Harry Potter (arr. Brubaker) (2013)
Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra (arr. Lavender) (1988/2016)
Coronation March from "Star Wars" (arr. Burden) (1977/1978)
The Cowboys (arr. Curnow) (1972)
The Cowboys (Grade III) (arr. Bocook) (1972)
The Cowboys (Grade V) (arr. Bocook) (1972/2007)
Dance of the Witches (arr. Lavender) (1987)
Dartmoor, 1912 (arr. Bocook) (2011)
Duel of the Fates (arr. Story) (1999)
The Empire Strikes Back (tr. Bullock) (1980)
Escapades (arr. Bulla) (2002/2012)
Excerpts from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (arr. Bulla) (1978/2009)
Excerpts from "Far and Away" (arr. Lavender) (1992/1996)
Fanfare for Fenway (2012)
Fanfare from E.T. The Extraterrestrial (arr. Lavender) (1982)
Flight to Neverland (arr. Lavender) (1991/2016)
Flying Theme (tr. Lavender) (1982)
For New York (arr. Lavender) (1988/)
For the President's Own (2013)
Great Movie Adventures (arr. Sweeney) (Flex instrumentation) (2006)
Harry Potter Symphonic Suite (arr. Smith) (2001)
Harry's Wondrous World (arr. Brubaker) (2003)
Harry's Wondrous World (arr. Lavender) (2006)
Highlights from "Harry Potter" (arr. Story) (2001)
Highlights from "Hook" (arr. Bernaerts) (1991/2005)
Highlights from "Hook" (arr. Heide) (1995)
Highlights from "Jurassic Park" (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Vinson) (1993)
Highlights from "Return of the Jedi" (arr. Jennings; orch. Lavender) (1983)
Hogwarts Forever (2001)
Home Alone 2, Lost in New York (arr. Lavender)
A Home Alone Christmas (arr. Lavender) (1990/2006)
A Hymn to New England (arr. Lavender)
Hymn to the Fallen (arr. Lavender) (1998/1999)
Hymn to the Fallen (arr. Sweeney) (1998/2000)
The Imperial March (tr. Bulla) (1980/2008)
Indiana Jones Selection (arr. Heide) (1981/2007)
Jedi Steps and Finale. See: Suite from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"
John Williams: Evening at Pops (arr. Higgins) (1987)
John Williams: A Fantasy of Flight (arr. Smith) (2002)
John Williams in Concert (arr. Lavender) (1992)
John Williams: The Symphonic Marches (arr. Higgins; orch. Lavender) (1984)
John Williams: Symphonic Soundtracks (arr. Moss) (2001)
John Williams Swings (arr. Bocook) (2011)
Jurassic Park Soundtrack Highlights (arr. Lavender) (1993)
Liberty Fanfare (arr. Curnow) (1986/2002)
Liberty Fanfare (arr. Bocook) (1986/2010)
Liberty Fanfare (arr. Lavender) (1986/)
Lincoln (arr. Bocook) (2013)
The March from "1941" (arr. Lavender)
March of the Resistance. See: Suite from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"
Men of the Yorktown (arr. Lavender)
Midway March (arr. Lavender) (1976/2010)
Midway March (arr Curnow) (1976/1990)
Midway March (arr. Moss) (1976/1994)
The Mission Theme (arr. Lavender) (1987)
Music for Brass (2014)
Music from "Lincoln" (tr. Lavender) (2013)
Music from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (arr. Sweeney) (1977/2016)
Olympic Fanfare and Theme (arr. Curnow) (1984)
The Olympic Spirit (1988)
The Olympic Spirit (tr. Bocook) (1988/1996)
The Olympic Spirit (tr. Rose) (1988)
The Olympic Spirit (arr. Curnow) (1988)
Olympics: A Centennial Celebration (arr. Moss) (1996)
Out to Sea and the Shark Cage Fugue (arr. Bocook) (1975/2011)
Out of This World (arr. Bocook) (1999)
Parade of the Slave Children (arr. Walker) (1984/1997/2002)
The Patriot (arr. Lavender) (2000/2015)
The Patriot (arr. Moss) (2000/2001)
A Prayer for Peace (arr. Moss) (2006)
Quidditch (2001)
Raiders March (tr. Lavender) (1981/2004)
Raiders March (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Lavender) (1981/2017)
Raiders of the Lost Ark Medley (arr. Bullock) (1981)
The Rebellion Is Reborn (arr. Bocook) (2017)
Revenge of the Sith. See: Star Wars: Episode III, Revenge of the Sith
Rey's Theme (arr. Lavender). See: Suite from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"
Rey's Theme (arr. Torskangerpoll) (2015)
Rey's Theme (arr. Vinson) (2015/2016)
The Rise of Skywalker. See: Soundtrack Highlights from "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker"
Scherzo for Motorcycle and Band (arr. Lavender)
Scherzo for X-Wings. See: Suite from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"
Selections from "E.T." (The Extra-Terrestrial) (arr. Cacavas) (1982/2002)
Selections from "Home Alone" (arr. Lavender) (1990/1992)
Selections from "Superman Returns" (arr. Lopez) (2006)
Selections from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Vinson) (2016)
Selections from "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Murtha) (2017)
Selections from "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Vinson) (2019)
Selections from the "Star Wars" Saga (arr. Story) (1977/2006)
Sinfonietta
Soaring with John Williams (arr. Smith) (2007)
Somewhere in My Memory (arr. Moss) (1991/200-?)
Sound the Bells! (trans. Lavender) (1993/2003)
Soundtrack Highlights from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (arr. Brown) (2015/2018)
Soundtrack Highlights from "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" (arr. Brown) (2015/2019)
Star of Bethlehem (arr. Lavender) (1992)
The Star-Spangled Banner (as arranger) (1814/2004)
Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace (arr. Smith)
Star Wars: Episode II, Attack of the Clones (arr. Smith) (2002)
Star Wars: Episode III, Revenge of the Sith (arr. Smith) (2005)
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge (2019)
Star Wars: Main Title (arr. Bulla) (1977/2006)
Star Wars Medley (arr. Burden) (1977)
Star Wars Medley (arr. Kalver) (1977/2013)
Star Wars Medley (arr. Tatgenhorst) (1977)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Closing Credits) (arr. Lavender) (2016)
Star Wars: The Marches (arr. Brubaker) (1977)
Star Wars Saga (arr. Bulla) (2017)
- The Imperial March (arr. Bulla) (1980/2008)
Star Wars Saga (arr. Meij) (1987)
Star Wars Trilogy (arr. Hunsberger) (1977/1997)
Suite from the Star Wars Epic, Part I (arr. Smith) (1977/2007)
Suite from the Star Wars Epic, Part II (arr. Smith) (1977/2007)
Suite from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (arr. Lavender) (2015/2016)
- Scherzo for X-Wings (arr. Lavender) (2016)
- Rey's Theme (arr. Lavender) (2015)
- March of the Resistance (arr. Lavender) (2015)
- Jedi Steps and Finale (arr. Lavender) (2015)
Suite from "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" (with Nicholas Hooper; arr. Bullock) (2002/2007)
Summon the Heroes (arr. Lavender) (1996)
Superman (arr. Lowden)
Superman March (arr. Lavender) (1978/2008)
Symphonic Marches (arr. Hamers)
Symphonic Suite from "Far and Away" (arr. Lavender) (1992/2013)
Symphonic Suite from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" (arr. Bocook) (2016)
Symphonic Suite from "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" (arr. Bocook) (2019)
Theme from "JFK" (arr. Lavender) (1991)
Theme from "Lost in Space" (arr. O'Loughlin) (1965/1993)
Theme from "Schindler's List" (arr. Custer) (1994)
Theme from "Schindler's List" (arr. Moss) (1993/2008)
Theme from "Superman" (arr. Holcombe) (1979)
Theme from "Superman" (arr. Nowak) (1979)
Theme from "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" (arr. Ployhar) (1982/1985)
Trumpet Concerto (arr. Lavender) (1996/2016)
Tribute to the Film Composer (arr. Lavender)
Viktor's Tale (arr. Lavender) (2004/2008)
Viktor's Tale (arr. Rasmussen) (2004)
Wide Receiver (arr. Lavender)
With Malice Toward None (arr. Lavender) (2012/2015)
Young Person's Guide to John Williams (arr. Bocook) (1991)

Resources

Williams, J.; Hunsberger, D. (1997). Star Wars Trilogy [score]. Alfred Publishing: Van Nuys, Calif.