I Put A Spell On You - Score Only by Nina Simone Full Orchestra - Digital Sheet Music

Denver Rock Orchestra’s

for Alto or Bass Vocalist and Full OrchestraInstrumentation: 2.Picc.2.EH.2.Bs Cl.1. / 4.3.3.1. / Harp.Piano.El Bs.Perc.Drumset / StringsIf an instrumental version is desired, several transpositions of the Vocal part are included to facilitate performance by an instrument soloist.This arrangement of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ iconic song was written in 2025 for the Denver Rock Orchestra’s first Halloween concert. Any attempt to transcribe Screamin’ Jay’s exact vocal performance would be completely futile, so before arranging, I listened to more than twenty cover versions and arrangements of the song, each built on the same core but with their own unique character. This orchestral version retains the essence which I heard in all of them and adds new material to create an intensely theatrical experience.The orchestration inhabits a dark and volatile soundworld; spiky, dissonant harmonies create an atmosphere of instability and menace. The central instrumental section depicts the ritual of casting a spell, an eerie incantation that suspends time. Throughout, flashes of modern harmonic language—closer to 20th-century art music than to blues—push the piece beyond its roots, heightening its psychological intensity.Be sure to check out our other fantastic arrangements and compositions, including the complete Wild Beautiful Music Halloween Series, at wildbeautifulmusic.com.