Killing Me Softly — Orchestra & Choir Sheet Music
The Grammy-winning classic by Charles Fox & Norman Gimbel, arranged for full orchestra and SATB choir by Paul Lorenz
Edition facts
Killing Me Softly With His Song by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel, arranged by Paul Lorenz for SATB choir and orchestra: full score (20 pages) and separate parts (29 pages), delivered as a PDF (A4) for instant download, €49.90.
- Instrumentation
- Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon · Horn, Trumpet, Trombone (2) · Drum kit · Piano · Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double bass · chord symbols
- Choir
- SATB
- Pages
- 49 pages — full score (20) + separate parts (29)
- Format
- PDF, A4, instant download
Read from the PDF you download.
In November 1971, a nineteen-year-old girl sat in a Los Angeles nightclub, listened to a singer who reached “right inside her world,” and scribbled notes on a napkin — and from those notes came one of the most recorded songs in history. Roberta Flack’s 1973 recording won the Grammy for Record of the Year. The Fugees’ 1996 revival debuted at •1 in Germany. And now, for the first time, the song that has moved three generations of audiences is available as a professional, concert-ready full orchestra and SATB choir arrangement — the only one of its kind.
Professional conductors programming a pops night, a tribute concert, or a crossover gala face a persistent problem: the existing sheet music market for this title offers piano solos and choral octavos, but nothing for the podium. This arrangement fills that gap with a complete score and parts package built to MOLA engraving standards — 8.5mm staves, measure numbers at every system, page turns placed where your musicians can actually breathe — ready for the stand the moment you download it.
Choose your “Killing Me Softly With His Song” edition
Orchestra & Choir
€49.90SATB choir and orchestra · 49 pages: score + parts · PDF (A4)
Every part also for other instruments – included ↓
The complete edition: full conductor’s score, choral score and instrumental parts in one PDF — ready for distribution to your ensemble on the day you download.
- Instant PDF download
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- Licensed edition
SATB Choir
from €19.90
“Killing Me Softly With His Song” 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♭, Trumpet 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♭, Horn in F, English horn in F, Flugelhorn in B♭, Viola |
| Bassoon | Viola, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello, Double bass |
| Horn in F | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, English horn in F, Flugelhorn in B♭, Viola, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Trombone, Euphonium, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello |
| Trumpet in B♭ | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, Horn in F, English horn in F, Viola |
| Trombone I | Alto saxophone in E♭, Horn in F, English horn in F, Flugelhorn in B♭, Viola, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello, Double bass |
| Trombone II | Alto saxophone in E♭, Horn in F, English horn in F, Viola, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Euphonium, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello, Double bass |
| Soprano | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Trumpet in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, Horn in F, English horn in F, Viola |
| Alto | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, English horn in F, Flugelhorn in B♭, Viola, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello |
| Tenor | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, Horn in F, English horn in F, Flugelhorn in B♭, Viola, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello |
| Bass | Alto saxophone in E♭, Horn in F, English horn in F, Viola, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Trombone, Euphonium, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello, Double bass |
| Violin I | Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭ |
| Violin II | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Alto saxophone in E♭, 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♭, Trombone, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello |
| Cello | Viola, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Double bass |
In your key. The whole edition is also available in A major or B♭ major (original: A♭ major) – score and all parts in the new key, as one PDF, included in the price. We only offer keys in which every part stays within its instrument’s range; where a single instrumental phrase would otherwise fall outside it, it is set an octave higher or lower.
Buy. After your purchase you receive your personal link to the Part Configurator by e-mail.
Choose part and instrument. For example the Clarinet in B♭ 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 — every stand, every distance, crystal clear.
- Complete Parts Package: Full score, choral score and instrumental parts laid out individually — ready to hand out at the first rehearsal.
- Intelligent Page Turns: Rest points and thin textures used throughout — conductors and players can turn pages without breaking the phrase.
- Instant PDF Delivery: Download immediately after purchase via PayHip — available at midnight before a Monday rehearsal.
- Grammy-Winning Legacy: Orchestration built from Roberta Flack’s 1973 lush string palette — the emotional character of the original, faithfully rendered.
- Bespoke Customization Available: Every instrumental part is also available for other instruments — the clarinet part for alto saxophone, for example — through the Part Configurator included with your purchase. Need a reduced scoring for a chamber ensemble? Contact Paul Lorenz directly.
Killing Me Softly With His Song sheet music at a glance
| Song | Killing Me Softly With His Song — Charles Fox & Norman Gimbel, 1971; a Grammy winner for Roberta Flack (1973) and a worldwide hit again for The Fugees (1996) |
| Arrangement | Full orchestra with SATB choir |
| Arranger | Paul Lorenz — arrangements recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road |
| Scoring | Flute, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, 2 trombones, drum kit, piano, strings and SATB choir with alto solo |
| Edition | One PDF, 49 A4 pages: full score (20 pp.), choral score (8 pp.) and instrumental parts |
| Key | F minor |
| Difficulty | Grade 4–5 — semi-professional to professional orchestras |
| Format | High-resolution 600 DPI PDF — instant download, print- and tablet-ready |
| Licensing | Licensed for performances by the purchasing ensemble; public performances reported to your PRO (GEMA/AKM/SUISA or ASCAP/BMI/PRS) by the organiser as usual |
| Price | €49.90 |
Is this edition right for you?
This is the only professional orchestral setting of a song three generations of audiences already know by heart — a natural centrepiece or closer. This edition is written for:
- Pops and crossover concerts looking for a familiar, emotionally direct anchor
- Tribute and gala programmes honouring Roberta Flack or the soul songbook
- Orchestras with a resident SATB choir ready for Grade 4–5 material
- Conductors who want a podium-ready score, not a piano reduction or choral octavo
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 (20 A4 pages)
- A choral score for soprano, alto, tenor and bass, with the alto solo (8 pages)
- The instrumental parts — flute, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, two trombones, drum kit, piano, violins, viola and double bass
- High-resolution PDFs, delivered instantly and yours to keep — no rental
Programming Killing Me Softly With His Song
Built from the lush string palette of Roberta Flack’s 1973 recording while drawing on the rhythmic drive of the 1996 revival, this arrangement rewards a patient, unhurried reading — let the strings breathe and the choir carry the refrain. It sits beautifully as the emotional high point late in a programme, where the shared recognition in the room does much of the work for you. Pair it with other soul and pop standards for a tribute set, or set it against orchestral showpieces so its intimacy lands all the more sharply. The immaculate cueing and system-by-system measure numbers keep rehearsal time short. Explore the related arrangements below to build the rest of the programme.
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Killing Me Softly With His Song sheet music — frequently asked questions
What exactly is included in the download?
One PDF of 49 A4 pages: the full conductor’s score (20 pages); a choral score for soprano, alto, tenor and bass with the alto solo (8 pages); and the instrumental parts for Flute, Clarinet in B♭, Bassoon, Horn in F, Trumpet in B♭, Trombone 1 and 2, drum kit, Piano, Violin I, Violin II, Viola and Double Bass. The score is written for flute, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, two trombones, drum kit, piano, strings and SATB choir.
What is the difficulty level and required ensemble size?
This arrangement is Grade 4–5, designed for semi-professional to professional orchestras. The choral writing is accessible to experienced SATB ensembles with solid sight-reading abilities. If your ensemble differs from the full scoring, contact us — we offer bespoke reduced-instrumentation versions.
Does this arrangement follow the Roberta Flack or Fugees version?
The orchestration draws primarily from Roberta Flack’s Grammy-winning 1973 original in F minor — its lush string palette, soul phrasing, and emotional arc — while incorporating the rhythmic energy that made the Fugees’ 1996 recording a worldwide •1 hit, including its landmark debut at the top of the German charts.
Is a performance license included — what about GEMA in Germany?
Your purchase includes the licence for performances by the purchasing ensemble (your orchestra and choir) at concerts and events, and covers printing and distributing the parts to your ensemble. As usual, the public performance itself is reported to the responsible performing-rights society — GEMA in Germany, AKM in Austria, SUISA in Switzerland (ASCAP/BMI/PRS elsewhere) — by the organiser or ensemble. For commercial recordings or broadcast use, please contact us directly.
Can the arrangement be customized for a smaller ensemble?
Absolutely. Paul Lorenz Music offers bespoke customization services unique in the industry — alternative instrumentation, reduced scoring, transpositions, or adjustments to accommodate your specific roster. Contact us directly to discuss your requirements before or after purchase.
Can I play the Clarinet in B♭ part on Alto saxophone in E♭?
Yes. The Part Configurator is included in the price: the Clarinet in B♭ part is also available for Flute, Oboe, Soprano saxophone in B♭ and Trumpet in B♭ and 6 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 and 4 choir voices for 18 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.
Can an instrument play one of the choir voices?
Yes. The choir voices are available as instrumental parts too – Alto for Cello, for example: transposed, in the right clef, without the lyrics, checked for range and breathing.
Is this edition available in another key?
Yes. The whole edition is also available in A major or B♭ major (original: A♭ major) – score and all parts in the new key, as one PDF, included in the price. We only offer keys in which every part stays within its instrument’s range; where a single instrumental phrase would otherwise fall outside it, it is set an octave higher or lower. You choose the key in the Part Configurator 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).