We Are The World Sheet Music PDF — Choir & Orchestra Editions
Two professional editions of the USA for Africa anthem by Paul Lorenz — SATB Choir & Piano, or Full Symphony Orchestra & Choir. Concert-grade engraving in the original key of E major, performance license included.
Looking for a performance-ready edition of “We Are The World”? Paul Lorenz Music publishes the professional sheet music of the 1985 USA for Africa anthem in two editions, both delivered as instant PDF downloads — SATB Choir & Piano (€39.90), and Full Orchestra & SATB Choir (€69.90) with conductor’s score and every individual part. Both editions keep the original key of E major and the complete harmonic texture of the iconic recording, and both include a worldwide performance license for concerts and public events.
For four decades, “We Are The World” has been the piece ensembles reach for when a program needs to mean something — benefit galas, charity concerts, memorial events, season finales that end with the whole hall singing. Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie for the greatest voices of a generation, it deserves more than a simplified lead sheet. This edition treats it as the concert work it has become — crafted by an arranger whose productions have been recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios.
Choose your “We Are The World” edition
SATB Choir & Piano
€39.90The complete choral edition — SATB choral score with optional second choir plus full piano accompaniment. Every harmonic colour of the original in a practical format for choir with piano. Ideal for concerts, community performances, school galas and worship events.
- Instant PDF download
- Secure checkout
- Licensed for performance
Full Orchestra & SATB Choir
€69.90The complete symphonic edition — conductor’s score plus all individual parts for woodwinds, brass, timpani, drum set, piano, strings and SATB choir. The full sound of the 1985 original for gala programs and benefit concerts, engraved for podium legibility.
- Instant PDF download
- Secure checkout
- Licensed for performance
Quality in detail
- Complete Instrumentation: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, 2 Trumpets, Trombone, Timpani, Drum Set, Piano, Strings and SATB Choir — conductor’s score plus every individual part in the orchestra edition.
- Concert-Grade Engraving: MOLA-compliant notation with strategically optimized page turns, designed for podium legibility and confident sight-reading under pressure.
- Singer-Friendly Choral Writing: Comfortable ranges for all four voices, clear phrasing and breathing marks, plus an optional second choir for massed-choir finales.
- Original Key, Full Texture: E major, exactly as the world knows the song — a true professional edition preserving every harmonic colour of the 1985 original, not a simplified reduction.
- Instant, Tablet-Ready Delivery: High-resolution PDFs immediately after purchase — print-ready and optimized for ForScore, unrealBook and other digital readers.
- Performance License Included: 100% legal for concerts, galas, festivals and fundraising events worldwide.
“We Are The World” sheet music at a glance
| Song | We Are The World — written by Michael Jackson & Lionel Richie for USA for Africa (1985) |
| Arranger | Paul Lorenz — recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios |
| Editions | SATB Choir & Piano (€39.90) · Full Orchestra & SATB Choir (€69.90) |
| Voicing | SATB with optional second choir |
| Key | E major — the original key of the 1985 recording |
| Orchestration | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, 2 Trumpets, Trombone, Timpani, Drum Set, Piano, Strings |
| Format | High-resolution PDF — instant download, print-ready and tablet-optimized |
| License | Worldwide performance license included |
Which edition do you need?
| SATB Choir & Piano | Full Orchestra & SATB Choir | |
|---|---|---|
| You have | A choir and a pianist | A choir and an orchestra (or both on stage) |
| Best for | Choral concerts, community and church performances, school galas, rehearsals | Gala concerts, benefit and charity events, symphonic pops programs, season finales |
| Included | SATB choral score (+ optional second choir), full piano accompaniment | Conductor’s score, all individual orchestra parts, SATB choral score |
| Price | €39.90 | €69.90 |
Both editions share the same choral writing — so a choir can rehearse from the Choir & Piano edition and later step onto the stage with full orchestra without relearning a single bar.
The anthem that turns a concert into a cause
On 28 January 1985, more than forty of the world’s biggest artists recorded “We Are The World” in a single night — and created the benefit anthem every audience on earth still recognises from its first bars. That is precisely what makes it so valuable to program: no other piece signals this concert stands for something as immediately, whether the occasion is a charity gala, a fundraising evening, a memorial, or a festival finale.
This edition was arranged for exactly those moments. The verses build from an intimate solo-carrying texture to full choral tuttis; the famous chorus arrives with the complete weight of brass, strings and choir; and the final key-shifting repeats are engineered to carry an entire hall singing along. Because the arrangement stays in the original key and preserves the original harmonic language, your audience hears the song they know — only live, and larger than life.
If your program pairs “We Are The World” with other crossover works, explore the related arrangements below — or contact Paul Lorenz Music for a bespoke suggestion for your ensemble and occasion.
Customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 · 1 review
★★★★☆A great piece for bringing a large ensemble together. The rhythm section takes a little practice, but the arrangement is rousing and hugely motivating for the players.
Michael F., Youth Music Orchestra
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We Are The World sheet music — frequently asked questions
What exactly is included in each edition?
The Choir & Piano edition (€39.90) contains the complete SATB choral score — Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass, with an optional second choir — plus the full piano accompaniment. The Orchestra & Choir edition (€69.90) contains the complete conductor’s score and all individual instrumental parts (woodwinds, brass, timpani, drum set, piano and strings) plus the SATB choral score. All materials are delivered instantly as high-resolution PDFs.
What is the instrumentation of the orchestra edition?
Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn in F, 2 Trumpets, Trombone, Timpani, Drum Set, Piano, Strings (Violin I & II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass) and SATB Choir with optional second choir. Every part is included as a separate, print-ready PDF alongside the conductor’s score.
What is the difficulty level of this arrangement?
The choral writing is accessible to experienced amateur and professional SATB choirs with solid sight-reading ability. The piano accompaniment is at an advanced level and requires a skilled accompanist. The orchestra edition is suitable for professional orchestras and advanced community orchestras.
Is there a free PDF of We Are The World sheet music?
Free transcriptions found online are usually simplified piano or lead-sheet versions created by hobbyists for private practice — they are not licensed for public performance and do not include choir or orchestra parts. If you are preparing a real performance, a professional edition gives you accurate harmony in the original key, complete parts for every musician, and an included performance license.
Can I preview the score before purchasing?
Yes. The product images on this page are actual pages from the conductor’s score and the choral score — click any image to zoom in and inspect the engraving. If you would like to see additional sample pages before deciding, contact us via the website and we will personally send you an extended preview.
Can I use this score for public performances?
Yes. A performance license is included with your purchase. You may perform this arrangement at concerts, galas, festivals and fundraising events without additional licensing fees to Paul Lorenz Music. Please note that ASCAP, BMI, or PRS royalties for the underlying composition may still apply depending on your venue and territory.
Can the arrangement be customized for my ensemble?
Yes. Paul Lorenz offers a bespoke customization service. Whether you need a different key, adjusted instrumentation for a smaller orchestra, additional choral divisi, or a version for choir and band, contact us directly before purchasing. Customization requests are handled personally and are typically completed within two to three weeks.
What is the refund policy?
Because you receive the complete files immediately after purchase, downloads cannot be returned. Please use the score previews on this page — and request extended sample pages if you wish — before buying. If anything is ever wrong with your files, contact us and we will resolve it personally.