A Salute to Glenn Miller: Score
Arr. Jeff Hest
Grade: 4 (Medium Advanced / Difficult)
Item: 00-PR-0004428
$9.00
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Description
The music of Glenn Miller is timeless. Arranger/transcriber Jeff Hest pays tribute with a medley of three big hits from the big band era, when Miller was king. All of the patented Glenn Miller sounds are meticulously written into this fine arrangement. It's a wonderful teaching tool and a sure-fire audience favorite. Easy (5:45)
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: 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:
76
SKU:
00-PR-0004428
More about this title
About the Arranger: Jeff Hest
Jeff Hest has built a prolific career as an arranger and composer across multiple musical worlds. His work spans advertising (hundreds of national spots), jazz and pop recording (over 40 albums), and original scoring for Broadway and film productions. He has collaborated with major jazz musicians including Urbie Green, Eddie Daniels, Derek Smith, Milt Hinton, and Marvin Stamm, earning recognition that led to a doctoral equivalency from the City University of New York.
Currently an assistant professor at CUNY, Hest focuses on the business and technology sides of music while maintaining his active work in arranging and production. His background in the New York studio scene gives him deep insight into what makes big band and jazz ensemble writing both musically authentic and practically playable.
Why we love this
Hest captures the essential character of Miller's orchestrations without oversimplifying the harmonic language or swing feel. The medley format lets you program a substantial, energetic piece that connects with audiences who love classic big band while teaching your ensemble how authentic Miller sounds are actually constructed. At Grade 4, it delivers real musical substance, not a watered-down tribute.
What to expect
Smooth, swinging, and nostalgic without being corny. The arrangement preserves Miller's trademark clarity and elegance, with moments of genuine swing groove alongside the polished ensemble work that made him famous. You'll hear the craftsmanship in every voice.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles at the medium-advanced level who are ready to tackle authentic big band arranging and want to program something with immediate crowd appeal. This works equally well for contest/festival settings and concert performances.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the brass section carefully during ensemble hits; Miller's signature sound depends on precise voicing, and muddy brass will obscure the arrangement's craftsmanship.
- Work the rhythm section independently first. Lock the walking bass and swing eighth notes before adding horns, so the groove sits solidly underneath.
- Let the soloists breathe. Miller's arranging leaves room for individual voices, so avoid rushing the ensemble figures that frame solo passages.
- Shape the medley transitions musically. Three hits need clear but flowing connective tissue, not abrupt stops between tunes.
How to use it
Pair this with other swing-era or contemporary jazz pieces to create a themed concert segment, or use it as a crowd-pleasing finale that lets your ensemble show off their big band chops. The medley format and five-minute-forty-five-second duration fit comfortably in most concert programs without requiring extensive setup between pieces.
Skills your students will build
- Authentic swing phrasing and ensemble articulation
- Reading and balancing complex brass voicings
- Maintaining groove and time feel across tempo and style changes
- Interpreting big band style conventions and dynamics
- Transitioning smoothly between multiple tunes in medley format