A Salute to the Big Bands: Score
Arr. Calvin Custer
Grade: 3.5
Item: 00-PR-0005289
$9.00
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Description
Go back to the heyday of the Big Band era with the music of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and others. Calvin Custer takes you on a musical trip with this medley of the big hits from that time. Titles include "April in Paris," "Serenade in Blue," "Sing, Sing, Sing," "Pennsylvania 6-5000" and more! (7:54)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A Salute to the Big Bands: 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:
Pop Concert Full Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
308
SKU:
00-PR-0005289
More about this title
About the Arranger: Calvin Custer
Calvin Custer built a reputation as a prolific arranger for school and community orchestras, with a gift for making the classics accessible to student ensembles. His arrangements balance fidelity to the original material with practical scoring that works for players at developing levels.
Why we love this
This medley captures the infectious energy of the Big Band era without requiring advanced technique from your players. Custer's orchestration keeps the focus on melody and groove, letting students experience swing style and jazz phrasing in a full ensemble setting where their individual contributions matter.
What to expect
Stepping into a smoky ballroom circa 1940. The harmonies are warm and the rhythms bounce with relaxed sophistication. Whether it's the dreamy lyricism of "April in Paris" or the infectious snap of "Sing, Sing, Sing," each tune carries the polish and joy that made this era so enduring.
Who it's for
Orchestra directors seeking a single concert piece that engages students in swing style and ensemble balance without excessive technical demands. This works well for ensembles at the intermediate level (Grade 3-4) who are beginning to explore jazz idioms and want to play recognizable melodies from American popular music.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the tempo steady and energized throughout. The swing feel depends on consistent rhythmic foundation from the rhythm section; lock in early and maintain that pocket even when the brass hits syncopated figures.
- Balance the melody across sections. These tunes were written to be singable and memorable, so shape each theme with clear dynamic contours rather than playing uniformly.
- Lean into the jazz articulation. Tongued notes should be crisp and slightly separated; let the saxophone section lead the way in setting the style for wind players.
- Use the different tempos between tunes as a chance to reset and regroup. Each title has its own character, so treat them as distinct movements rather than rushing through.
How to use it
Program this as a complete concert act that lets the audience travel through Big Band hits without breaking momentum. It's ideal for spring pops concerts or family-friendly performances where audiences appreciate accessibility and nostalgia. The medley format also makes it perfect for when you want to showcase ensemble musicianship while keeping rehearsal demands manageable.
Skills your students will build
- Swing rhythms and jazz articulation
- Balancing melody and harmony in a full ensemble
- Responding to conductor cues across tempo and style changes
- Reading and executing syncopated rhythmic figures
- Shaping thematic material with dynamic sensitivity