Alexander's Ragtime Band: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
Music by Irving Berlin / arr. Dave Wolpe
Grade: 3 (Medium)
Item: 00-PK-0005361
$52.00
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Description
Alexander's Ragtime Band is classic Dave Wolpe---swinging and clever. Dave has taken this traditional Irving Berlin tune and twisted the chord changes and the rhythms just a little to earn it a top place in your library. No individual solos, just swinging ensemble top to bottom with modest ranges (trumpet to A, trombone to G) and the Wolpe touch make this ideal for any high school jazz ensemble. First class writing!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Alexander's Ragtime Band: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts 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:
Jazz Band Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
94
SKU:
00-PK-0005361
More about this title
About the Composer: Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin (1888–1989) stands as one of America's most prolific and influential songwriters, composing more than 1,000 songs across a career spanning nearly eight decades. His melodies became the soundtrack to American popular culture, appearing in Broadway musicals, Hollywood films, and concert halls with equal ease. Berlin's gift for crafting memorable, singable tunes paired with sophisticated harmonic sensibility made his work endure across generations and styles.
Why we love this
Dave Wolpe's arrangement transforms this familiar standard into something fresh without losing the tune's immediate appeal. The modest ranges and no-nonsense ensemble writing mean your section players stay engaged throughout; there's no sitting around waiting for soloists. This is straightforward, effective big band writing that sounds polished and swings hard.
What to expect
Classic swing era energy with a contemporary twist. The reharmonized chord changes give the familiar melody an unexpected harmonic landscape, keeping listeners guessing while the ensemble groove locks in tight and swings easy.
Who it's for
High school jazz ensembles looking for reliable, swinging repertoire that challenges musicality without demanding advanced technical facility. The modest trumpet and trombone ranges keep the writing accessible while the Wolpe arrangement keeps ears engaged.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythm section early and often. The reharmonized changes require tight bass, drums, and piano to sit solidly in pocket; this foundation makes everything else click.
- Balance the brass blend carefully. With no featured soloists, each section member contributes to the overall texture; ensure melody voices cut through without overwhelming the harmony.
- Lean into the rhythmic tweaks Wolpe has crafted. The alterations to Berlin's original phrasing are intentional; clarity here separates a polished performance from a generic one.
- Shape the ensemble dynamics as a single unit. Treat the ensemble texture like a vocal chorus; phrase with intention and breathe together.
How to use it
Program this as a concert opener or as a companion piece alongside other standards in a jazz repertoire set. It pairs well with straight-ahead swing charts and works equally as a warm-up vehicle for intonation and blend early in the season.
Skills your students will build
- Reading reharmonized lead lines with accuracy and phrasing
- Ensemble swing feel and rhythmic cohesion
- Section balance and blend in full-ensemble textures
- Responding to harmonic complexity without relying on soloists for direction
- Stylistic interpretation of jazz articulation and dynamic shaping