Question on notation

[Roger]

Our concert band is including "The Wizard of Oz" arr. by James Barnes, in our fall concert. It has several spots where there is an E# between two F naturals, and the piece is in the key of C. We just got the music, so I haven't had the opportunity to ask my section mates about it. I also tried to upload a photo but couldn't make it work. Why would the E# be there? Could it be an editor's error?

[dsurkin]

That's a little unusual. The spelling E# helps my sightreading when the underlying harmony (perhaps) is a C# or A# chord, or F# major 7 - paricularly in big band piano parts (I detest those arrangers who spell a Db7 chord as Db-F-Ab-B instead of Db-F-Ab-Cb; it really slows down sightreading). But for ease of reading in an instrument part, I opt for the spelling that will be easiest for the performer.

[Roger]

Yes, it certainly slows down reading, especially in a fast passage. Rehearsal tonight, so I'll ask questions.