Amen: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score, Parts & CD

Snidero takes a proven concept from his own Jazz Conception Series and hands it to arranger Mike Titlebaum, who delivers a medium up-tempo reading that honors Horace Silver's "The Preacher" without imitating it. The driving shuffle rhythm anchors the piece from the trombone intro forward, and the bluesy melodies are developed with enough sophistication to hold the attention of your ensemble while remaining accessible to groups working at this level.

Medium up-tempo, gospel-inflected swing with a bluesy undertone and a relentless shuffle that propels the ensemble forward. The melody rides above a driving rhythm section foundation, creating the kind of infectious groove that audiences recognize as jazz even if they don't follow every harmonic movement.

Jazz ensembles working at the medium level who want a chart that swings hard without requiring virtuoso soloists. The included CD helps directors establish the groove, while the arrangement's flexibility around the solo section invites participation from multiple instruments.

• Lock the shuffle rhythm in the trombone section during the intro and keep it driving throughout. This is the engine of the arrangement, so precision here sets the tone for everything that follows.
• Let the written trombone solo breathe, but be ready to adapt if another section has the chops to take it. Snidero and Titlebaum built flexibility into the solo section for a reason.
• Balance the bluesy melodic content across the ensemble so the gospel-swing character comes through clearly. These aren't academic melodies; they need room to sing.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock tempos and phrasing, especially if your section leaders need a reference for the shuffle feel and the swing interpretation of the bluesy passages.

Open your set with this piece to establish energy and musicianship right away, or use it as the centerpiece of a jazz-focused concert showcasing your ensemble's ability to interpret a contemporary gospel-swing arrangement. It pairs well alongside other charts that feature strong rhythmic grooves and melodic development.

• Executing shuffle rhythms with precision and consistency
• Interpreting swing phrasing and articulation in a gospel-blues context
• Trading and responding to written melodic figures across sections
• Managing dynamics and balance in an ensemble setting where the rhythm section drives the sound
• Listening to and learning from a recorded reference performance