Birk's Works (arr. Rick Stitzel): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
Arranged by Rick Stitzel
Grade: 1.5
Item: 35-PK00441528
$40.00
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Description
This easy swing tune is a great way to introduce the music of Dizzy Gillespie to your young players. Trumpets take the first chorus, followed by the saxes on the second. Skillful scoring for young players is evident throughout complete with some nice dynamic nuances. The short solo section can be played by a trumpet soloist or the entire section.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00441528
More about this title
About the Arranger: Rick Stitzel
Rick Stitzel has built a reputation as an arranger who understands the specific needs of developing jazz ensembles. His work prioritizes accessibility without sacrificing musical authenticity, making him a go-to voice for directors seeking repertoire that teaches jazz fundamentals while keeping students engaged.
Why we love this
Stitzel's arrangement respects Gillespie's compositional voice while building the tune in layers that work for young players. The alternating trumpet and saxophone choruses create natural variety without overwhelming anyone section, and the flexible solo section gives you options depending on who's ready for the spotlight.
What to expect
The tune bounces with the light energy of bebop but never loses its swagger. Gillespie's melody and harmonic language shine through the arrangement, delivering that unmistakable New York City cool without any of the technical density that might intimidate younger players.
Who it's for
Young jazz ensembles with solid fundamentals in place but still building confidence in swing style and section playing. This works equally well for a first-year jazz band that needs an accessible entry point into small-group jazz repertoire or for an intermediate group looking to expand their exposure to bebop composers.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the swing feel early in rehearsals by isolating the rhythm section and walking through the comping pattern before adding horns. Consistency in the eighth-note feel will define the entire performance.
- Balance the dynamic nuances marked throughout the score. Young ensembles often play everything at one volume, so highlighting the scored variations will bring shape and sophistication to what could otherwise sound flat.
- If you use a trumpet soloist for the solo section, rehearse it separately and give that player time to develop personal phrasing. If the full trumpet section takes the solo, drill the articulation and breathing points so it reads as a unified voice rather than individual players.
How to use it
Place this early in a jazz concert to establish the swing aesthetic and get the audience comfortable with the style before moving into more complex charts. It pairs well with other blues-based or Gillespie-influenced tunes and works as a natural opener that showcases both section work and individual musicianship.
Skills your students will build
- Executing swing eighth notes with consistent subdivision
- Trading melodic ideas between sections (trumpets and saxophones)
- Balancing ensemble sound while maintaining individual voice
- Responding to dynamic markings in context of jazz phrasing
- Soloing strategies within a structured blues framework