Make Me a Song: The Music of William Finn

An exceptional revue of composer/lyricist, William Finn's, most beloved songs.

Make Me a Song: The Music of William Finn is a celebration showcasing the songs of one of the most acclaimed composer-lyricists currently writing for the musical theatre. A two-time Tony Award winner for the groundbreaking musical, Falsettos, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, William Finn is a true living legend. Make Me a Song is big, boisterous and life-loving, like Finn himself.

This poignant and compelling revue effortlessly weaves together songs from Finn's rich and touching songbook. Featuring classics from his hit shows juxtaposed with rarely heard selections from Romance in Hard Times, Elegies and the yet-to-be-produced The Royal Family, these treasured tunes tell personal, haunting and often hilarious tales.

A testament to the exceptional career of this beloved songwriter, Make Me a Song brims with spectacular highlights that are sure to delight longtime fans and newcomers alike. Featuring a cast of four and no set, this intimate revue is a budget-saving opportunity. William Finn's music will allow strong singers to showcase their vocal and acting abilities.

Full Synopsis Materials and Orchestration

Concert Selections for Make Me a Song: The Music of William Finn

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.

I CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT

From
The Last Five Years

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
Jason Robert Brown

Lyrics by
Jason Robert Brown

Orchestrated by
Jason Robert Brown

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Arranged for
1 Voice (Typically Female)

Starting Key
A

Estimated duration
5 min 11 sec
Instrumentation

(2x) PIANO/CONDUCTOR SCORE; (1x) VIOLIN; (1x) CELLO 1; (1x) CELLO 2 (+Crotales); (1x) GUITAR: Acoustic; (1x) BASS: Electric
I CAN SEE IT

From
The Fantasticks

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
Harvey Schmidt

Lyrics by
Tom Jones

Orchestrated by
Jack Elliot

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Arranged for
2 Voices (Typically Male)

Starting Key
Am

Estimated duration
4 min 08 sec
Instrumentation
(3x) PIANO/CONDUCTOR SCORE, (3x) REED 1 (Alto Saxophone, Piccolo, Flute), (1x) REED 2 (Oboe), (2x) REED 3 (Bass Clarinet, Clarinet), (1x) HORN, (1x) TRUMPET 1, (1x) TRUMPET 2, (1x) TROMBONE 1, (1x) TROMBONE 2, (1x) PERCUSSION (Drum Set), (1x) KEYBOARD 1 (Acoustic Piano), (1x) KEYBOARD 2 (Synthesizer), (9x) VIOLIN 1, (8x) VIOLIN 2, (7x) VIOLA, (6x) CELLO, (5x) BASS
I DO, I DO IN THE SKY

From
The Drowsy Chaperone

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
Lisa Lambert

Greg Morrison

Lyrics by
Lisa Lambert

Greg Morrison

Orchestrated by
Larry Blank

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.
I DON'T NEED ANYTHING BUT YOU

From
Annie

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
STROUSE, CHARLES

Lyrics by
CHARNIN, MARTIN

Orchestrated by
LANG, PHILIP J.

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Arranged for
1 GIRL'S VOICE, 1 MALE VOICE, CHORUS

Starting Key
D

Estimated duration
5 min 00 sec
Instrumentation

2 Reed 1(Clarinet ,Alto sax, Flute), 2 Reed 2(Clarinet, Alto sax, Flute), 2 Reed 3(Clarinet, Tenor sax), 2 Reed 5(Clarinet, Flute, Baritone sax), 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trombone 1, 1 Trombone 2, 1 Tuba, 17 Violin, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 1 Guitar(no amp)Banjo), 2 Percussion(Drum set, Bells, Xylo, Timp)2 Piano Vocal, 25 Chorus books
I HATE THE BUS

From
Caroline, or Change

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
Jeanine Tesori

Lyrics by
Tony Kushner

Orchestrated by
R Basset, J Joubert, B Red

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Instrumentation

2 Piano Conductor Score, 1 Guitar, 1 Piano, 2 Percussion (Ride Cymbal, Suspended Cymbal), 1 Violin 1, 1 Violin 2, 1 Viola, 1 Cello, 1 Bass (Acoustic)
I KNOW IT'S TODAY

From
Shrek The Musical

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.
I KNOW THINGS NOW

From
Into the Woods

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
Stephen Sondheim

Lyrics by
Stephen Sondheim

Orchestrated by
Jonathan Tunick

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Arranged for
1 Voice (Typically Female)

Starting Key
C

Estimated duration
1 min 48 sec
Instrumentation

(1x) FULL SCORE; (2x) PIANO/VOCAL SCORE; (1x) FLUTE; (1x) CLARINET; (1x) BASSOON; (2x) HORNS 1 & 2; (1x) TRUMPET (in C); (1x) ALT. TRUMPET (in Bb); (1x) PIANO; (1x) SYNTHESIZER; (3x) PERCUSSION: Triangle, Bells; (17x) VIOLINS; (7x) VIOLAS; (6x) CELLO; (5x) BASS
I KNOW WHERE I'VE BEEN

From
Hairspray

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
Marc Shaiman

Lyrics by
Marc Shaiman &

Scott Wittman

Orchestrated by
Harold Wheeler

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Starting Key
A♭
Estimated duration
4 min 02 sec
Instrumentation

(24x) KEYBOARD 1/CONDUCTOR SCORE; (1x) REED 1: Alto Saxophone; (1x) REED 2: Tenor Saxophone; (1x) TRUMPET: Trumpet, Flugelhorn; (1x) TROMBONE; (2x) GUITARS 1 & 2; (2x) PERCUSSION: Tambourine, Timpani, Suspended Cymbal; (1x) DRUMS; (1x) KEYBOARD 2: "Strings"; (1x) KEYBOARD 3: "Fender Rhodes," "Organ"; (6x) VIOLIN; (4x) CELLO; (1x) BASS: Electric
I MISS THE MOUNTAINS

From
Next to Normal

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
Tom Kitt

Lyrics by
Brian Yorkey

Orchestrated by
Michael Starobin & Tom Kitt

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Arranged for
1 Voice (Typically Female)

Starting Key
C

Estimated duration
3 min 46 sec
Instrumentation
(1x) PIANO/VOCAL SCORE, (2x) PIANO/CONDUCTOR SCORE, (1x) GUITAR (Acoustic), (1x) VIOLIN, (1x) CELLO, (1x) BASS (Acoustic), (2x) PERCUSSION (Vibraphone, Shaker, Drum Kit)
I NEVER KNEW HIS NAME

From
The Civil War

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
WILDHORN, FRANK

Lyrics by
WILDHORN, FRANK

BOYD, GREGORY

MURPHY, JACK

Orchestrated by
SCHARNBERG, KIM

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Arranged for
1 FEMALE VOICE

Starting Key
C
I REMEMBER (ARR. MCKIBBINS)

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Lyrics by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Arranged by
MCKIBBINS, PAUL

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
A Concert/Symphonic Arrangement has been specifically written for use in a concert setting. Generally this means it features a larger, typical symphonic orchestration than what you may find in the show. It is meant to be performed with one or more singers.

Arranged for
1 FEMALE VOICE

Starting Key
Am

Estimated duration
2 min 15 sec
Instrumentation

1 Flute 1, 1 Flute 2, 1 Oboe, 1 Eng.Horn, 1 Clarinet 1, 1 Clarinet 2, 1 Bassoon 2, 1 Bassoon 1, 2 Horns 2&4, 2 Horns 1&3, 2 Trumpets 1&2, 1 Trombone 1, 1 Bass Trombone, 9 Violin 1. 8 Violin 2, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 3 Percussion, 1 Piano, 1 Conductor Score, 1 Chorus book
I REMEMBER (TUNICK)

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Lyrics by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Orchestrated by
TUNICK, JONATHAN

show more...show less...
Arrangement Details
Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
A Concert/Symphonic Arrangement has been specifically written for use in a concert setting. Generally this means it features a larger, typical symphonic orchestration than what you may find in the show. It is meant to be performed with one or more singers.

Arranged for
1 FEMALE VOICE

Starting Key
Am

Estimated duration
2 min 15 sec
Instrumentation

1 Reed 1, 1 Reed 2(Oboe, Eng.Horn), 1 Reed 3, 1 Reed 4, 1 Reed 5, 1 Trumpet 1, 1 Trumpet 2, 2 Horn 1&2, 2 Trombone 1&2, 17 Violin 1&2, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 1 Harp, 2 Percussion(Triangle), 2 Piano(Celesta), 1 Vocal (Piano), 1 Full Score
I STAND ALONE

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
YESTON, MAURY

Lyrics by
YESTON, MAURY

Arranged by
OLSON, BYRON

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
A Concert/Symphonic Arrangement has been specifically written for use in a concert setting. Generally this means it features a larger, typical symphonic orchestration than what you may find in the show. It is meant to be performed with one or more singers.

Arranged for
MALE VOICE

Starting Key
D♭
Estimated duration
3 min 35 sec
Instrumentation

1 Flute1, 1 Flute2, 1 Clarinet1, 1 Clarinet2, 1 Bass Clarinet, 1 Trumpet1, 1 Trumpet2, 1 Trumpet3, 1Trumpet4, 1 Trombone1, 1 Trombone2, 1 Horn1, 1Horn2, 1 Horn3, 1 Horn4, 1 Bass Trombone, 17 Violins, 7 Violas, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 1 Fender Bass(Rhythm), 1 Percussion1, 1 Percussion2, 1 Percussion(Rhythm), 1 Keyboard 1(Rhythm), 1 Keyboard2(Rhythm), 1 Harp, 1 Drums(Rhythm), Vocal, 1 Full ScoreOptional Rock Combo - indicated as "(Rhythm)" above
I THINK I'M GONNA LIKE IT HERE

From
Annie

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
STROUSE, CHARLES

Lyrics by
CHARNIN, MARTIN

Orchestrated by
LANG, PHILIP J.

show more...show less...
Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Arranged for
1 GIRL'S VOICE, 1 FEMALE VOICE, CHORUS

Starting Key
C

Estimated duration
4 min 25 sec
Instrumentation

1 Reed 1, 1 Reed 2(Baritone sax ,Clarinet), 1 Reed 3(Bass clarinet ,Tenor sax ,Clarinet), 1 Reed 4, 1 Reed 5, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trombone 1, 1 Trombone 2, 1 Tuba, 17 Violin, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 1 Guitar, 2 Percussion 1&2(Drum set ,Timp, Bells, Xylo), 8 Vocal, 2 Piano/Conductor
I WANNA BE A PRODUCER

From
The Producers

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
Mel Brooks

Lyrics by
Mel Brooks

Arranged by
Glen Kelly

Orchestrated by
Doug Besterman

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Starting Key
Cm

Estimated duration
6 min 46 sec
Instrumentation
(2x) PIANO/CONDUCTOR SCORE, (20x) VOCAL BOOK, (3x) REED 1 (Piccolo, Flute, Alto Saxophone), (3x) REED 3 (Clarinet, Flute, Alto Saxophone), (2x) REED 3 (Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone), (3x) REED 4 (Oboe, Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone), (2x) REED 5 (Bassoon, Baritone Saxophone), (1x) HORN, (1x) TRUMPET 1, (1x) TRUMPET 2, (1x) TRUMPET 3, (1x) TROMBONE 1, (1x) TROMBONE 2, (1x) TROMBONE 3, (3x) PERCUSSION (Timpani, Typewriter Keys, Ratchet, Crotales, Mark Tree, Triangle, Bell Tree, Glockenspiel, Suspended Cymbal, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Chimes), (1x) DRUMS, (1x) KEYBOARD, (1x) HARP, (16x) VIOLINS, (6x) CELLO, (5x) BASS
I WANT IT ALL

First Performance Fee:
$0
Each Additional Performance:
$0
I WANT IT ALL

First Performance Fee:
$0
Each Additional Performance:
$0
I WANT IT ALL

First Performance Fee:
$0
Each Additional Performance:
$0
I WANT IT ALL

First Performance Fee:
$0
Each Additional Performance:
$0
I WANT IT ALL
I WANT IT ALL

First Performance Fee:
$0
Each Additional Performance:
$0
I WANT IT ALL

First Performance Fee:
$0
Each Additional Performance:
$0
I WANT IT ALL

First Performance Fee:
$0
Each Additional Performance:
$0
I WANT IT ALL

First Performance Fee:
$0
Each Additional Performance:
$0
I WANT IT ALL

First Performance Fee:
$0
Each Additional Performance:
$0
I WANT IT ALL

From
Baby

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
David Shire

Lyrics by
Richard Maltby, Jr.

Orchestrated by
Jonathan Tunick

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Arranged for
3 Voices (Typically Female)

Starting Key
C

Estimated duration
4 min 09 sec
Instrumentation
1 Oboe, 1 English horn, 1 Clarinet 1, 1 Clarinet 2, 1 Bass clarinet, 1 Bassoon 1, 1 Bassoon 2, 1 Alto sax, 1 Tenor sax, 1 Baritone sax, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Horn, 1 Trombone, 17 Violin ABC, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 1 Guitar, 1 Bass, 2 Drum(Bells, Drum set), 1 Keyboard 1(Acoustic piano), 1 Keyboard 2(Synthesizer, Rock bass w/ fuzz Organ), 2 Piano Conductor, 3 Chorus books
I WISH I COULD FORGET YOU

From
Passion

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Lyrics by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Orchestrated by
TUNICK, JONATHAN

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Arranged for
1 FEMALE VOICE, 1 MALE VOICE

Starting Key
D♭
Estimated duration
2 min 00 sec
Instrumentation

1 Reed 1, 1 Reed 2, 1 Reed 3, 1 Reed 4, 1 Trumpet, 2 Horn 1&2, 17 Violin 1&2, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 1 Keyboard 1(Harp), 1 Keyboard 2(Strings), 3 Percussion(Cymb,Timp), 2 Piano/Conductor, 2 Chorus books
I WISH I DIDN'T LOVE YOU SO

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
Frank Loesser

Orchestrated by
Jeffrey Klitz

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
A Concert/Symphonic Arrangement has been specifically written for use in a concert setting. Generally this means it features a larger, typical symphonic orchestration than what you may find in the show. It is meant to be performed with one or more singers.

Starting Key
B
I'D GIVE IT ALL FOR YOU (SYMPHONIC VERSION)

From
Songs for a New 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...show less...
Arrangement Details
Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
A Concert/Symphonic Arrangement has been specifically written for use in a concert setting. Generally this means it features a larger, typical symphonic orchestration than what you may find in the show. It is meant to be performed with one or more singers.

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.
I'LL COVER YOU

From
Rent

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Music by
Jonathan Larson

Lyrics by
Jonathan Larson

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Arrangement Details
Song Type: Show Extraction
A show extraction is taken directly from the licensed show materials. No edits have been made to the song.

Instrumentation

2 Piano Conductor Score, 1 Guitar (Electric), 1 Keyboard (Guitar 2), 1 Bass (Electric), 1 Drum Set

Show Essentials

Music by

William Finn

Conceived by

Rob Ruggiero

Full Billing

Songs

Mister, Make Me a Song

Heart and Music

Hitchiking Across America

Republicans Part One

Billy's Law-of-Genetics

Passover

Only One

Republicans Part Two

I'd Rather Be Sailing/Set Those Sails

Change

I Have Found

Republicans Part Three

You're Even Better Than You Think You Are

Falsettoland

Four Jews In a Room Bitching

Tight Knit Family/Love is Blind/My Father's a Homo

Trina's Song

March of the Falsettos

Year of the Child/The Baseball Game

Unlikely Lovers

All Fall Down

Stupid Things I Won't Do

That's Enough For Me

I Went Fishing With My Dad

When the Earth Stopped Turning

Anytime (I Am There)

Song of Innocence and Experience

Finale

Full Song List

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Filichia Features

Filichia Features: MAKE ME A SONG: Luckily, William Finn Has Made Plenty

William Finn's revue gives audiences and actors an embarrassment of riches

Make Me a Song William Finn! The Artist Behind the Music

st1:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } -->  For example, the song Passover, featured in MAKE ME A SONG but written for ELEGIES, is the story of a boy (Finn) and his family traveling to New Jersey to celebrate Passover with his wacky family. ...

MAKE ME A SONG now available to license!

MTI is proud to announce that Make Me a Song: The Music of William Finn is now available to license through MTI. The show has only five characters (though that could be expanded), no orchestration (piano only), and no set requirements - so all you ...