The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face — Orchestra Sheet Music
The 2× Grammy-winning romantic masterpiece, arranged for full Orchestra & Solo Vocals by Paul Lorenz
When Clint Eastwood first heard Roberta Flack’s recording of this song, he pulled his car to the side of the road — and then built the defining scene of his debut film around it. Written by Ewan MacColl in 1957 as a transatlantic love declaration, and transformed by Flack in 1972 into Billboard’s #1 single of the year and a double Grammy winner (Record of the Year, Song of the Year), “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” carries more concentrated romantic authority per bar than almost any other piece in the concert repertoire. Yet for decades, conductors looking for a performance-ready orchestral edition at concert-hall standard have found exactly nothing.
This full orchestra & vocal sheet music edition by Paul Lorenz is the definitive professional answer. Written for the concert hall — not background events — the arrangement expands the piece’s characteristic intimacy through a full symphonic palette without losing the emotional restraint that made Flack’s recording legendary. The score adheres to MOLA engraving standards: 8.5mm staves, measure numbers at every system, and page turns placed at natural musical rests. Download the complete conductor score and individual instrument parts instantly, and have your ensemble rehearsal-ready today.
Choose your “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” edition
Orchestra & Vocals
€49.90The definitive edition for concert halls, wedding galas, and crossover programmes. Includes the full conductor score plus individually extracted parts for every section — ready for the stand, ready for performance.
- Instant PDF download
- Secure checkout
- Licensed for performance
Also available for your ensemble
Prefer a different scoring? “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” is also published as:
Quality in detail
- MOLA-Compliant Engraving: 8.5mm staves, measure numbers at every system — built for professional orchestral stands, not amateur printouts.
- Complete Instrument Set: Conductor score plus individual parts for every section — download once, hand out immediately.
- Concert-Hall Orchestration: Full strings, brass, woodwinds, piano, and percussion — the intimate grandeur of the Grammy-winning original, not a band reduction.
- 600 DPI Print Quality: Renders crisp on paper and on tablet (forScore, OnSong) — no pixelation at any zoom level.
- Bespoke Customization: Non-standard ensemble or different key? Contact Paul Lorenz Music for custom edits — a service unique in the world.
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face sheet music at a glance
| Song | The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face — Ewan MacColl, 1957; made a two-time Grammy winner by Roberta Flack in 1972 |
| Arrangement | Full orchestra with solo vocals — strings, woodwinds, brass, piano, harp, timpani and percussion |
| Arranger | Paul Lorenz — arrangements recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road |
| Scoring | Full A3 conductor score plus individually extracted parts for every section and a solo vocal score |
| Difficulty | Grade 4 — professional and advanced semi-professional orchestras |
| Format | High-resolution 600 DPI PDF — instant download, print- and tablet-ready (forScore, OnSong) |
| Licensing | Licensed arrangement; performance license included — report public performances via your PRO (GEMA/AKM/SUISA/ASCAP/BMI) |
| Price | €49.90 |
Is this edition right for you?
Program this piece when you want a single, unhurried moment of concentrated romance to anchor a concert. This edition is written for:
- Professional and semi-professional orchestras performing with a lyric soprano or mezzo-soprano soloist
- Wedding galas and ceremony concerts that need a concert-hall opener rather than background music
- Crossover and pops programmes pairing popular repertoire with a full symphonic palette
- Conductors who need MOLA-standard engraving and clean page turns for rehearsal
Need a transposition or a different voicing? Paul Lorenz adapts it on request — just ask before you buy.
What you receive
- The full A3 conductor score, MOLA-compliant with 8.5mm staves and measure numbers at every system
- Individual parts for every string, woodwind, brass, percussion, keyboard and harp section, plus a solo vocal score, each individually extracted
- High-resolution 600 DPI PDFs, delivered instantly and yours to keep — no rental
Programming The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
This is a piece to place where it can breathe — an opener that sets a hushed, expectant tone, or a still centre between more extroverted works. Its power lives in dynamic restraint, so give the string writing room and let the soloist lead the phrasing rather than pushing the tempo. It pairs naturally with other lyrical ballads and film-adjacent repertoire, and its arc rewards a programme that builds toward emotional weight rather than spectacle. Explore the related arrangements below to build the rest of the programme.
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The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face sheet music — frequently asked questions
What is included in the download?
You receive a complete, performance-ready package: the full conductor score in A3 format (8.5mm staves, MOLA-compliant), individual parts for all strings (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass), woodwinds (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon), brass (Horns, Trumpets, Trombone, Tuba), Timpani & Percussion, Piano, Harp, and a solo vocal score — all delivered as 600 DPI high-resolution PDFs, plus a performance license PDF.
What is the difficulty level of this arrangement?
Grade 4 — Professional. The arrangement’s emotional power comes from dynamic contrast and restraint in the string writing, requiring experienced section principals. It is written for professional or advanced semi-professional orchestras. The vocal part suits a lyric soprano or mezzo-soprano with professional performance experience.
Does the performance license cover GEMA / AKM / SUISA reporting?
The included performance license grants rights to print and perform the arrangement within your ensemble. Public performances must be reported through your venue’s standard performing rights organization — GEMA, AKM, SUISA, ASCAP, or BMI as applicable. The license satisfies venue administration requirements and is included with every purchase at no additional cost.
Can the arrangement be customized for my ensemble?
Absolutely. Paul Lorenz Music offers bespoke customization services — a capability unique in the professional sheet music industry. Whether you need alternative instrumentation (e.g. saxophone instead of clarinet), a key transposition to suit your soloist’s range, or adjustments to accommodate your specific roster, we can tailor this arrangement 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.