Songs for a New World

Songs for a New World
This contemporary song cycle weaves characters and history together, illuminating the timelessness of self-discovery.



It's about one moment. It's about hitting the wall and having to make a choice... or take a stand... or turn around and go back. These are the stories and characters of today, the Songs for a New World. The first musical from Tony Award winner, Jason Robert Brown (Parade, Bridges of Madison County), this moving collection of powerful songs examines life, love and the choices that we make.

Brown transports his audience from the deck of a 1492 Spanish sailing ship to a ledge, 57 stories above Fifth Avenue, to meet a startling array of characters that range from a young man who has determined that basketball is his ticket out of the ghetto to a woman whose dream of marrying rich nabs her the man of her dreams... and a soulless marriage.

With a small, powerhouse multi-ethnic cast and a driving, exquisitely crafted score that runs the gamut of today's popular music, Songs for a New World is a great way to bring the next generation into the theatre.

Concert Selections for Songs for a New World

MTI is pleased to provide the pre-approved rental materials of select songs for your symphonic concert performance. Please note, MTI is unable to grant the necessary Performance Rights with this material rental. The Performance Rights needed must be obtained separately through the individual song’s respective small rights agency such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. Please email concerts@mtishows.com with any questions.

  • CHRISTMAS LULLABY (SYMPHONIC VERSION)
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Lyrics by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Orchestrated by
    Jason Robert Brown
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
    Arranged for
    1 Voice (Typically Female)
    Starting Key
    C
    Estimated duration
    4 min 08 sec
    Instrumentation

    2 Flute, 2 Bb Clarinet, 2 Oboe, 2 Bassoon, 4 Horn, 2 Trumpet, 2 Trombone, 2 Percussion, 1 Acoustic Guitar, 1 Piano, (8) Violin I, (8) Violin II, (7) Viola, (6) Cello, (5) Bass. Your materials will also include 1 Full Score and 2 copies of the Piano Vocal Score.

  • FLAGMAKER, 1775 (SYMPHONIC VERSION)
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Lyrics by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Orchestrated by
    Jason Robert Brown
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
    Arranged for
    1 Voice (Typically Female)
    Starting Key
    D
    Estimated duration
    4 min 25 sec
    Instrumentation

    2 Flute, 2 Bb Clarinet, 2 Oboe, 2 Bassoon, 4 Horn, 2 Trumpet, 2 Trombone,1 Drums, 2 Percussion, 1 Electric Guitar, 1 Electric Bass, 1 Piano, (8) Violin I, (8) Violin II, (7) Viola, (6) Cello, (5) Bass. Your materials will also include 1 Full Score and 2 copies of the Piano Vocal Score.

  • FLYING HOME (SYMPHONIC VERSION)
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Lyrics by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Orchestrated by
    Jason Robert Brown
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
    Arranged for
    4 Voices (Typically 2 Male, 2 Female)
    Starting Key
    G♯m
    Estimated duration
    5 min 07 sec
    Instrumentation

    2 Flute, 2 Bb Clarinet, 2 Oboe, 2 Bassoon, 4 Horn, 2 Trumpet, 2 Trombone,1 Drums, 2 Percussion, 1 Guitar (Acoustic/Electric), 1 Electric Bass, 1 Piano, (8) Violin I, (8) Violin II, (7) Viola, (6) Cello, (5) Bass. Your materials will also include 1 Full Score and 5 copies of the Piano Vocal Score.

  • HEAR MY SONG (SYMPHONIC VERSION)
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Lyrics by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Orchestrated by
    Jason Robert Brown
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
    Arranged for
    4 Voices (Typically 2 Male, 2 Female)
    Starting Key
    D
    Estimated duration
    5 min 41 sec
    Instrumentation

    2 Flute, 2 Bb Clarinet, 2 Oboe, 2 Bassoon, 4 Horn, 2 Trumpet, 2 Trombone, 1 Drums, 2 Percussion, 1 Electric Guitar, 1 Electric Bass, 1 Piano, (8) Violin I, (8) Violin II, (7) Viola, (6) Cello, (5) Bass. Your materials will also include 1 Full Score and 5 copies of the Piano Vocal Score.

  • I'D GIVE IT ALL FOR YOU (SYMPHONIC VERSION)
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Lyrics by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Orchestrated by
    Jason Robert Brown
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
    Arranged for
    2 Voices (Typically 1 Male, 1 Female)
    Starting Key
    D
    Estimated duration
    4 min 56 sec
    Instrumentation

    2 Flute, 2 Oboe, 2 Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 4 Horn, 2 Trumpet, 2 Trombone, 2 Percussion, 1 Drums, 1 Acoustic Guitar, 1 Electric Bass, 1 Piano, (8) Violin I, (8) Violin II, (7) Viola, (6) Cello, (5) Contrabass. Your rental materials will also include 1 Full Score and 3 copies of the Piano Vocal Score.

  • IM NOT AFRAID OF ANYTHING (SYMPHONIC VERSION)
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Lyrics by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Orchestrated by
    Jason Robert Brown
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
    Arranged for
    1 Voice (Typically Female)
    Starting Key
    A
    Estimated duration
    4 min 37 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Horn, 1 Drums, 2 Percussion, 1 Acoustic Guitar, 1 Electric Bass, 1 Piano (plays PV Score),(8) Violin I, (8) Violin II, (7) Viola, (6) Cello. Your materials will also include 1 Full Score and 2 copies of the Piano Vocal Score.

  • KING OF THE WORLD
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Lyrics by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Orchestrated by
    Jason Robert Brown
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Starting Key
    C
    Estimated duration
    4 min 16 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Bass, 1 Drums, 1 Percussion, 1 Piano (plays PV Score), 1 Keyboard. Your materials will also include 2 copies of the Piano Vocal Score.

  • NEW WORLD
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    BROWN, JASON ROBERT
    Lyrics by
    BROWN, JASON ROBERT
    Orchestrated by
    BROWN, JASON ROBERT
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
    Starting Key
    E♭
    Estimated duration
    5 min 04 sec
    Instrumentation

    2 Flute, 2 Oboe, 2 Bb Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 4 Horn, 2 Trumpet, 2 Trombone, 1 Drums, 2 Percussion, 1 Electric Guitar, 1 Electric Bass, 1 Piano, (8) Violin I, (8) Violin II, (7) Viola, (6) Cello, (5) Bass. Your materials will also include 1 Full Score and 5 copies of the Piano Vocal Score. Substitute parts are available as follows: 1 Soprano Sax (for Oboe 2), 1 Bass Clarinet (for Bassoon 1), and 1 Baritone Sax (for Bassoon 2).

  • ON THE DECK OF A SPANISH SAILING SHIP, 1492 (SYMPHONIC VERSION)
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Lyrics by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Orchestrated by
    Jason Robert Brown
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
    Arranged for
    4 Voices (Typically 2 Male, 2 Female)
    Starting Key
    A♭
    Estimated duration
    6 min 41 sec
    Instrumentation

    2 Flute, 1 Oboe, 1 English Horn, 2 Bb Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 4 Horn, 2 Trumpet, 2 Trombone, 1 Drums, 2 Percussion, 1 Electric Guitar, 1 Electric Bass, 1 Piano,(8) Violin I, (8) Violin II, (7) Viola,(6) Cello, (5) Bass. Your materials will also include 1 Full Score and 5 copies of the Piano Vocal Score.

  • RIVER WON'T FLOW (SYMPHONIC VERSION)
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Lyrics by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Orchestrated by
    Jason Robert Brown
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
    Arranged for
    4 Voices (Typically 2 Female, 2 Male)
    Starting Key
    G
    Estimated duration
    3 min 51 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Piccolo, 1 Flute, 2 Oboe, 2 Bb Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 4 Horn, 2 Trumpet, 1 Trombone, 1 Bass Trombone, 1 Drums, 2 Percussion, 1 Electric Guitar, 1 Electric Bass, 1 Piano, (8) Violin I, (8) Violin II, (7) Viola, (6) Cello. Your materials will also include 1 Full Score and 5 copies of the Piano Vocal Score.

  • SHE CRIES
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Lyrics by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Orchestrated by
    Jason Robert Brown
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Starting Key
    F
    Estimated duration
    4 min 49 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Bass, 1 Drums, 1 Percussion, 1 Piano (plays PV Score), 1 Keyboard. Your materials will also include 2 copies of the Piano Vocal Score.

  • STARS AND THE MOON (SYMPHONIC VERSION)
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Lyrics by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Orchestrated by
    Jason Robert Brown
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
    Arranged for
    1 Voice (Typically Female)
    Starting Key
    D
    Estimated duration
    4 min 31 sec
    Instrumentation

    2 Flute, 2 Oboe, 2 Bb Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 4 Horn, 1 Drums, 2 Percussion, 1 Acoustic Guitar, 1 Piano, 1 Solo Upright Bass,(8) Violin I, (8) Violin II, (7) Viola, (6) Cello, (5) Bass. Your materials will also include 1 Full Score and 2 copies of the Piano Vocal Score.

  • SURABAYA-SANTA (SYMPHONIC VERSION)
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Lyrics by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Orchestrated by
    Jason Robert Brown
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
    Arranged for
    1 Voice (Typically Female)
    Starting Key
    Cm
    Estimated duration
    4 min 43 sec
    Instrumentation

    2 Flute, 2 Oboe, 2 Bb Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 4 Horn, 2 Trumpet, 2 Trombone, 2 Percussion, 1 Timpani, 1 Acoustic Guitar, 1 Solo Upright Bass, 1 Piano, (8) Violin I, (8) Violin II, (7) Viola, (6) Cello, (5) Bass. Your materials will also include 1 Full Score and 2 copies of the Piano Vocal Score.

Resources

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Transpositions On Demand

Change the key of any song and optimize your performer’s vocal range.

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Questions & Answers

November 12, 2020
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Related shows or resources: Songs for a New World
are there alternative orchestrations for Songs for a New World?
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October 01, 2020
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Related shows or resources: Songs for a New World
Sample of video of a streamed show?

Do you have any examples of a filmed show that was shot during Covid? Meaning either through zoom or self taped?

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June 21, 2019
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Related shows or resources: Songs for a New World
Percussion Book

Does anyone have the instrumentation list for the Percussion Book? The Drums Book?

Thanks,

Dee Wood

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December 07, 2017
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Related shows or resources: Songs for a New World
Songs for a new world - workshop with my students

To whom it may concern,

I would like to work on SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD with my voice class here at Unionville High School in Markham, Ontario. This process will culminate in a performance for family and friends for which we will charge nothing.

Can you let me know how to go about doing this and what costs (if any) would be involved?

many thanks,

Larry Beckwith
Unionville High School

larry.beckwith@yrdsb.ca

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