Star Wars: Main Title

From Wind Repertory Project
John Williams

John Williams (arr. Stephen Bulla)


General Info

Year: 1977 / 2006
Duration: c. 5:20
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $195.00   |   Score Only (print) - $25.00


Instrumentation

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

  • Crash Cymbals
  • Glockenspiel
  • Snare Drums (2)
  • Suspended Cymbals
  • Tam-Tam
  • Triangle
  • Vibraphone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Though John Williams has mastered many forms of composition, he is most famous for his unforgettable film scores, which are considered the epitome of film music. In 1977, Williams composed what is arguably his most famous film score, the music for Star Wars, which earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Score that year. It was not his first Oscar win, nor would it be his last, but the music for Star Wars cemented Williams’ fame as a composer. The opening fanfare of the Main Theme is instantly recognizable and sets the stage for the epic film to come. The 1977 score of Star Wars was selected by the American Film Institute as the greatest film score of all time.

- Program Note from U.S. Marine Band concert program, 2 June 2022


Few musical themes are as recognizable as this timeless classic. Voted "top soundtrack of all time" by the American Film Institute, here is an authentic transcription for band as performed by the United States Marine Band conducted by the composer.

- Program Note from publisher


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • World Youth Wind Orchestra Project (WYWOP) (Schladming, Austria) (Jerry Junkin, conductor) – 15 July 2023
  • Southeastern Michigan Wind Ensemble (Clarkston) (Cliff Chapman, conductor) - 7 May 2023
  • University of North Texas (Denton) Wind Orchestra (Andrew Trachsel, conductor) – 17 November 2022
  • United States Marine Band (Washington, D.C.) (Darren Lin, conductor) - 2 June 2022
  • University of California, Los Angeles, Wind Ensemble (Travis Cross, conductor) – 22 April 2022 (2022 San Joaquin Valley (Calif.) Concert Band Invitational)
  • Pittsburg (Kan.) State University Wind Ensemble (Andrew Chybowski, conductor) - 23 September 2021
  • Carthage College (Kenosha, Wisc.) Wind Orchestra and Concert Band (James Ripley, conductor) - 27 September 2020
  • United States Military Academy Band (West Point, N.Y.) (Richard Winkels, conductor) – 21 July 2018
  • Marietta (Ohio) College Wind Ensemble (Marshall C. Kimball, conductor) – 24 April 2018
  • Gold Coast Wind Ensemble (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) (Michael Doty, conductor) – 21 January 2018
  • United States Marine Band (Washington, D.C.) (Michelle A. Rakers, conductor) 3 August 2016
  • University of California, Los Angeles, (UCLA) Wind Ensemble (Travis J. Cross, conductor) – 25 May 2016
  • City of Fairfax (Va.) Band (Robert Pouliot, conductor) - 19 March 2016
  • United States Army Field Band (Ft. Meade, Md.) (Jim R. Keene, conductor) - 16 December 2015 (2015 Midwest Clinic)
  • Iowa State University (Ames) Wind Ensemble – 15 November2015


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Williams, J.; Bulla, S. (2006). Star Wars (Main Title) [score]. Warner-Tamerlane Pub. and Bantha Music: [s.l.]