Green Hornet Theme

In 1966, after the huge success of the Batman television series, ABC introduced The Green Hornet to America. The famed Van Williams played the role of The Green Hornet, while Kato was played by martial arts expert Bruce Lee. The series was later cancelled after only one season. Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's orchestral interlude, "Flight of the Bumblebee", used for the radio series, was so strongly identified with The Green Hornet that it was retained as the theme, rearranged and updated by Billy May with trumpet solo by Al Hirt. Director Quentin Tarantino, in a clear homage to Bruce Lee and The Green Hornet TV program, introduced it to younger generations when he re-tasked the song for a transitional sequence in Kill Bill Vol. 1.

This orchestral arrangement by Tony DiLonrezo includes a solo part which can be played by either trumpet (as in the original) or trombone. The theme on trombone has been played to much acclaim by Pittsburgh Symphony Trombonist Jim Nova.

The grading of the piece is based on the orchestral background parts, not the solo part, which is more difficult.

Instrumentation:

• Solo Trumpet in C (B♭ part provided)
• Solo Trombone
• Flute 1-2
• Piccolo
• Oboe
• English Horn
• Clarinet 1-2
• Bass Clarinet
• Bassoon 1-2
• Contrabassoon 1-2
• Horn 1-3
• Trumpet in C 1-3 (B♭ parts provided)
• Trombone 1-2
• Bass Trombone
• Tuba
• Bass Guitar
• Xylophone
• Tambourine
• Drum Set
• Violin 1-2 (10 and 8)
• Viola (6)
• Cello (6)
• Bass (4)