John Miles: Music Was My First Love — Orchestra & Choir Sheet Music PDF
The definitive symphonic concert edition for full orchestra, SATB choir and soloists — arranged with Abbey Road precision by Paul Lorenz
Edition facts
Music Was My First Love by John Miles, arranged by Paul Lorenz for SATB choir and orchestra with solo voice: full score (25 pages) and separate parts (37 pages), delivered as a PDF (A3) for instant download, €69.90.
- Instrumentation
- Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon · Horn, Trumpet, Trombone · Timpani, Bells · Piano · Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double bass · Solo voice
- Choir
- SATB
- Pages
- 62 pages — full score (25) + separate parts (37)
- Tempo
- ♩ = 88
- Format
- PDF, A3, instant download
Read from the PDF you download.
When the Night of the Proms faithful hear those opening piano notes, something happens in the hall. Half a century after its creation, John Miles’ “Music” still commands the same reverence — an architectural feat disguised as a pop song. Three movements, three emotional worlds: the tender C-minor prologue, the relentless 7/8 rock section that exposes every poorly notated arrangement, and the triumphant E-major choral apotheosis that has moved audiences from Brussels to Berlin for over forty years. For professional conductors, finding a score that handles all three with equal rigour has been a persistent challenge. This edition was built to end that search.
Arranged by Paul Lorenz with the same exacting standard applied to his recordings at Abbey Road Studios, these concert-grade editions leave nothing to chance. The technically demanding 7/8 section is meticulously notated — every bar correct, every part proofread, so your rehearsal time is spent on interpretation, not correction. Whether you are programming a season finale, a John Miles tribute concert, or a gala evening with chorus, this Music Was My First Love orchestra and choir score delivers the definitive performance your audience deserves.
Choose your “Music Was My First Love” edition
Orchestra & Choir Arrangement
€69.90SATB choir and orchestra with solo voice · 62 pages: score + parts · PDF (A3)
Every part also for other instruments – included ↓
The complete symphonic edition capturing the full grandeur of John Miles’ masterpiece. Includes conductor’s score, all orchestral parts, SATB choral score, and rhythm section — with the technically demanding 7/8 section meticulously notated for professional ensembles.
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- Licensed edition
Piano / Vocal / Guitar
from €9.90
“Music Was My First Love” is also published in this scoring — with its own score preview and full details on the edition page.
View this edition →Parts for your instrumentation
Every instrumental part of this edition is also available for other instruments – included in the price. Transposed, in the right clef, checked for range and breathing.
| Original part | Also available for |
|---|---|
| Flute | Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Violin, Horn in F, English horn in F, Viola |
| Oboe | Flute, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, Horn in F, English horn in F, Viola |
| Clarinet in B♭ | Flute, Oboe, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Trumpet in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, English horn in F, Viola |
| Bassoon | Alto saxophone in E♭, English horn in F, Viola, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Trombone, Euphonium, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello, Double bass |
| Horn in F | Violin, Viola, Cello |
| Trumpet in B♭ | Violin, Viola |
| Trombone | Alto saxophone 1+2 in E♭, English horn 1+2 in F, Viola, Tenor saxophone 1+2 in B♭, Bassoon 1+2, Bass clarinet 1+2 in B♭, Cello, Double bass |
| Violin I | Viola |
| Violin II | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Horn in F, English horn in F, Viola |
| Viola | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, Horn in F, English horn in F, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello |
| Cello | Alto saxophone in E♭, English horn in F, Viola, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Trombone, Euphonium, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Double bass |
“1+2”: a part divided for two players. Where the original part has double stops or chords, two wind players share the notes – marked “div.” and “a 2”.
Buy. After your purchase you receive your personal link to the Part Configurator by e-mail.
Choose part and instrument. For example the Oboe part as Alto saxophone in E♭.
Download the PDF. The first time a part is requested it takes about a minute to set; after that it is ready at once – with your name as the license notice.
How the Part Configurator works →Need a different instrumentation? After your purchase you can send Paul Lorenz a request.
Quality in detail
- MOLA-Compliant Engraving: 8.5mm staff size and 600 DPI resolution for crystal-clear reading at any distance — including the rhythmically complex 7/8 section.
- Intelligent Page Layouts: Optimized page turns and generous margins for annotations and real-world conducting.
- Rehearsal-Ready Notation: Measure numbers at every system with clearly marked rehearsal letters at all major structural landmarks.
- Instant PDF Delivery: Download begins immediately after purchase — no shipping delays, no waiting for physical scores.
- Complete Instrumentation: Every part professionally extracted and proofread. No missing pages, no surprises at rehearsal.
- Bespoke Customization Available: Non-standard instrumentation or altered choral voicings? Contact us for tailored adjustments unique to your ensemble.
Music Was My First Love sheet music at a glance
| Song | Music Was My First Love — John Miles (1976), the concert anthem of the Night of the Proms |
| Arrangement | Full orchestra with SATB choir, soloists and rhythm section |
| Arranger | Paul Lorenz — arrangements recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road |
| Scoring | Full conductor’s score (A3) + all orchestral parts + SATB choral score + piano part |
| Difficulty | Professional and advanced ensembles |
| Format | High-resolution PDF — instant download, print- and tablet-ready |
| Licensing | Licensed arrangement; standard PRO reporting on the underlying John Miles composition (ASCAP/BMI/PRS/GEMA) |
| Price | €69.90 |
Is this edition right for you?
Music Was My First Love is a season-defining showpiece — three movements that carry an audience from an intimate C-minor prologue to a triumphant E-major choral finale. This edition is written for:
- Season finales and gala evenings that need a guaranteed standing ovation
- John Miles tribute and Night-of-the-Proms style concerts with full chorus
- Professional and advanced ensembles ready for the demanding 7/8 central section
- Musical directors who need every part correct on the first read
Need a transposition or a different voicing? Paul Lorenz adapts it on request — just ask before you buy.
What you receive
- The full conductor’s score in A3 format
- All orchestral parts — strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion and rhythm section — individually extracted
- The SATB choral score and the piano part
- High-resolution PDFs, delivered instantly and yours to keep — no rental
Programming Music Was My First Love
Few works close a programme with the same architectural build as this one. Open the piece from stillness — let the C-minor prologue breathe before the 7/8 rock section takes hold — and reserve the E-major choral apotheosis for the moment your audience is fully leaning in. It sits most naturally as a finale or the emotional peak before an encore, and it pairs well with other large-scale choral-orchestral repertoire that rewards a full chorus. The meticulous notation of the 7/8 section means rehearsal time goes to interpretation, not correction. Explore the related arrangements below to build the rest of the programme.
Customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 · 1 review
★★★★★A masterpiece of crossover music! The shifts between the symphonic sections and the rock passages are brilliantly handled. It captures 100% of the original's energy. The musicians had an enormous amount of fun.
Andreas H., Music Director
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Music Was My First Love sheet music — frequently asked questions
What exactly is included in the download?
Your download includes the full conductor’s score in A3 format, all individual orchestral parts (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, rhythm section), the SATB choral score, and the piano part. All files are delivered as high-resolution PDFs optimized for both screen reading and professional printing.
What is the difficulty level of these arrangements?
This arrangement is designed for professional and advanced ensembles. The technically demanding 7/8 section has been meticulously notated to minimize rehearsal corrections, but it requires confident sight-reading across all sections.
Do I need a performance license?
This arrangement by Paul Lorenz is officially licensed. Your purchase includes the licence for performances by the purchasing ensemble (your orchestra and choir) at concerts and events. As usual, the public performance of the underlying John Miles composition is reported to the responsible performing-rights society — ASCAP, BMI or PRS internationally, GEMA/AKM/SUISA in the DACH region — by the organiser or ensemble. For commercial recordings or broadcast use, please contact us directly.
Can the arrangement be customized for my ensemble?
Absolutely. Paul Lorenz Music offers bespoke customization services — a capability unique in the industry. Whether you need alternative instrumentation, transpositions, adjusted choral voicings, or adaptations to accommodate your specific ensemble roster, we can tailor any edition to your exact requirements. Contact us directly to discuss your needs.
What is your refund policy?
Due to the digital nature of our products, we cannot offer refunds once the download has been accessed. We encourage you to review the score preview carefully and contact us with any questions before purchasing.
Can I play the Oboe part on Alto saxophone in E♭?
Yes. The Part Configurator is included in the price: the Oboe part is also available for Flute, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭ and Violin and 4 more instruments – transposed, in the right clef, checked for range and breathing. You receive the link by e-mail after your purchase.
Which parts are available for other instruments?
11 instrumental parts for 17 instruments in all. The overview “Parts for your instrumentation” on this page lists every original part with its instruments. For a different instrumentation you can send Paul Lorenz a request after your purchase.
Am I allowed to use the re-scored parts?
Yes. Parts from the Part Configurator belong to the edition you bought and are covered by the same license – for your ensemble, with the same rights of use. Every part carries the notice “Licensed to …” in its footer. For public performances the organiser registers the performance with the collecting society as usual (e.g. PRS, ASCAP/BMI, GEMA).