| 100% | PERCUSSION | 10 | Orchestra section for 19 Across, plus 8 and 34 Down |
| 36% | STR | 3 | Orchestra section with violins and cellos, for short |
| 32% | ORS | 3 | Workplaces for 73 Across and 121 Down |
| 30% | LENDMEYOUREARS | 14 | Shakespearean entreaty appropriate for 19-, 25- and 43-Across? |
| 30% | STR | 3 | Orchestra section, for short: Abbr. |
| 30% | BOUNDTOHAPPEN | 13 | Inevitable ... or a hint for 19-, 27- and 48-Across |
| 29% | THEGREEKFREAK | 13 | Nickname for 19-Across, based on his athleticism and birth country: 3 wds. |
| 29% | OFFICESPACE | 11 | 19 Across for a business |
| 28% | ONMYOWN | 7 | 1986 #1 hit for 19-Across and Michael McDonald |
| 28% | ARENA | 5 | With 8-Across, subgenre for Journey and Foreigner |
| 28% | BRASS | 5 | Orchestra section featuring trumpets and trombones |
| 28% | BRASS | 5 | Orchestra section with trombones and horns |
| 28% | BRASS | 5 | Orchestra section with trombones and tubas |
| 28% | BRASS | 5 | Orchestra section that includes trumpets and trombones |
| 27% | DONOTLETTHE | 11 | With 34- and 54-Across, basic instruction for [circled letters] |
| 27% | GATE | 4 | Airport section for arrivals and departures |
| 27% | DELI | 4 | Grocery section for ham and cheese |
| 27% | MEG | 3 | A million 19 Across, for short |
| 27% | THEUK | 5 | What 15-, 16-, 26-, and 34-/44-Across make up together, for short: 2 wds. |
| 27% | IDIOM | 5 | 34 Across, for instance |
| 27% | OPERA | 5 | 8 Down, for one |
| 27% | FOOT | 4 | With 6- and 8-Across, entry that allows for later success |
| 27% | PARTY | 5 | With 62-Across, clue for 19-, 37- and 50-Across |
| 27% | DELI | 4 | Grocery section for cole slaw and cheeses |
| 27% | THEBOSTONPOPS | 13 | Orchestra known for playing "Stars and Stripes Forever" on the 41-Across (3 wds.) |
| 27% | ZIPIT | 5 | "Pipe down!," and an instruction for 18-, 25-, 43-, and 57-Across |
| 27% | WOMENOFLETTERS | 14 | Female scholars ... or a hint to 19-, 28-, 34- and 42-Across |
| 26% | SIDNEYPOITIER | 13 | Star of 15- and 34-Across who won an Oscar for "Lilies of the Field": 2 wds. |
| 26% | NETLIKE | 7 | Threaded across and down |
| 26% | OPERA | 5 | Gig for 8 Down |