Jazz Ensemble Festival Sheet Music

Teachers keep coming back to The Chicken by Alfred James Ellis, a Grade 3 standard that's become a festival circuit staple. Work Song by Nat Adderley and Things Ain't What They Used to Be by Mercer Ellington offer solid medium-level options, while Avenue Swing by Mike Collins-Dowden works well for younger or less experienced groups at Grade 1. For advanced ensembles ready to tackle something demanding, Whiplash by Hank Levy at Grade 5 delivers real musical substance.

Gordon Goodwin began composing full orchestrations at age five and went on to earn three Emmy nominations for his television and film work. His score The Jazz Police reflects the same sophisticated arranging sensibility he's brought to professional big band writing for decades.

Alan Baylock directed the Grammy-nominated One O'Clock Lab Band at the University of North Texas after spending 20 years as Chief Arranger for the United States Air Force Band's Airmen of Note. His arrangement of Things Ain't What They Used to Be demonstrates the precision and musicality he's cultivated through decades of professional and educational work.

Kris Berg runs the jazz program at Collin County Community College and founded the Collin Jazz Fest and Texas All-Star Jazz Camp. His big band arrangements, including The Chicken, have been performed and recorded internationally and are staples in high school and college jazz curricula.

Erik Morales has published over 150 works across jazz, classical, and commercial genres, with a melodic and harmonic approach that connects with student musicians and audiences alike. His arrangement of Work Song exemplifies the accessible yet sophisticated style that has made his jazz compositions widely adopted in educational settings.