A Salute to Glenn Miller II: Score
Featuring: A String of Pearls / Chattanooga Choo Choo / American Patrol
Arr. Jeff Hest
Grade: 4.5 (Medium Advanced / Difficult)
Item: 00-PR-0004430
$10.00
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Description
The Glenn Miller legacy is an essential part of American history. Jeff Hest has arranged three more Glenn Miller hits in his second salute to the legendary bandleader. This tribute begins with the traditional sax section soli and the memorable Bobby Hackett trumpet solo in "String of Pearls," continues with a ticket on the ever-popular "Chattanooga Choo Choo" and closes with the powerful classic "American Patrol." A great teaching tool with sure-fire audience appeal: the timeless Glenn Miller sound.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A Salute to Glenn Miller II: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Premier Jazz Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
74
SKU:
00-PR-0004430
More about this title
About the Arranger: Jeff Hest
Jeff Hest has built a prolific career across multiple musical worlds: the New York City recording studios, where he has produced hundreds of commercial scores; the jazz and pop fields, where his discography spans over 40 albums; and the Broadway and film industries, where he has provided both musical direction and scoring. His collaborators read like a master class in American jazz and studio musicianship: Urbie Green, Eddie Daniels, Derek Smith, Tony Mottola, Milt Hinton, Marvin Stamm, Phil Bodner, and Dick Hyman among them.
Hest's contributions to music education and industry have earned recognition from the City University of New York, which granted him a doctoral equivalency. He serves as an assistant professor of music at CUNY, where he teaches courses in the business of music and music technology, bringing real-world professional experience into the classroom.
Why we love this
Hest's arrangements capture the swinging charm of the Glenn Miller library without requiring the full big band instrumentation. These three standards are instantly recognizable to audiences of all ages, which means your ensemble gets the reward of playing music that resonates immediately, not after three listens. The Grade 4.5 difficulty makes the writing accessible for strong jazz ensembles while maintaining the sophisticated voicings and articulation that defined Miller's sound.
What to expect
These arrangements bring the precision, elegance, and propulsive swing of the Glenn Miller Orchestra into the room. You'll hear the clarity of Miller's voicings, the charm of melodies that defined an era, and the satisfaction of ensemble playing that feels polished and complete.
Who it's for
Jazz ensemble directors seeking concert repertoire with built-in appeal and historical significance. Bands at the Grade 4.5 level looking for arrangements that honor a major American tradition while developing ensemble cohesion and swing sensibility.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the sax section's traditional soli in 'String of Pearls' with a single sound and phrasing concept; these passages define the piece's identity and demand unity rather than individual showcasing.
- Feature the trumpet solo in 'String of Pearls' with warmth and restraint, honoring the Bobby Hackett legacy by prioritizing tone over technical display.
- Approach the swing feel in all three tunes with crisp articulation from the rhythm section; Miller's sound thrived on clarity and bounce, not looseness.
- Build 'American Patrol' with intensity as the closer, using dynamic control to make the final statement feel like a genuine climax rather than just a loud ending.
How to use it
Program this as a complete set to celebrate American swing and big band history, or feature individual tunes on different concerts throughout the year. 'String of Pearls' and 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' work equally well as opener or mid-set selections, while 'American Patrol' makes a powerful closer for an all-standards or jazz history themed concert.
Skills your students will build
- Swing articulation and phrasing in jazz style
- Section soli balance and blend
- Reading and performing in the swing style across multiple tempos
- Cohesion between melody and rhythm section in jazz ensemble contexts
- Recognizing and executing era-specific jazz idioms