Cast Your Fate to the Wind: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
By Vince Guaraldi / Arranged by John Berry
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK00129592
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Description
This Vince Guaraldi hit from the '60s is arranged by John Berry using a light rock style and features the saxes on the melody. Includes solos for alto and trumpet.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00129592
More about this title
About the Composer: Vince Guaraldi
Vince Guaraldi (1928-1976) composed for film and television with a gift for melodic simplicity that never sacrificed harmonic sophistication. His work on the Peanuts television specials established him as a master of conveying emotion through sparse, elegant writing; his jazz piano trio recordings demonstrated his deep understanding of swing and standards. Guaraldi's ability to write music that appeals equally to casual listeners and jazz musicians made him invaluable to music education, where his pieces serve as bridges between popular appeal and serious musicianship.
Cast Your Fate to the Wind, recorded in 1962, became one of Guaraldi's signature compositions and remains a staple of school jazz programs. The tune's straightforward charm and accessible harmonic movement have made it a reliable choice for ensembles developing their jazz vocabulary and ensemble cohesion.
Why we love this
John Berry's light rock treatment gives this Guaraldi standard a contemporary energy without losing the tune's essential sweetness. The saxophone melody feels natural and idiomatic, and the included alto and trumpet solos provide clear opportunities for student improvisers to shine without overwhelming them with complexity.
What to expect
Easy, breezy, and gently swinging. The light rock coloring gives it a contemporary feel while the melody sits perfectly in the alto and tenor range, feeling singable and warm. There's a relaxed confidence to this arrangement that invites musicians to settle in and enjoy themselves.
Who it's for
Grade 3 jazz ensembles with developing improvisers and a reasonably solid rhythm section. Student alto and trumpet players looking for manageable solo opportunities will find encouraging material here, and the full ensemble will appreciate a tune that swings naturally without excessive technical demands.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the saxophone section on the melody so the line sings clearly over the rhythm section; saxes often play too thick in this tune and lose definition.
- Give the rhythm section a light touch, especially the bass. This arrangement works best when the groove feels easy and relaxed rather than locked and rigid.
- Encourage soloists to listen actively to the comping underneath them. The conversations between soloist and rhythm section are where the tune comes alive.
- Keep the tempo conversational, not rushed. There's no need to push the tempo to make this work; clarity and pocket matter more than speed.
How to use it
Pair this with other Guaraldi compositions or '60s jazz standards to build a concert set with strong thematic coherence. It works equally well as an opener that wins over an audience early or as a moment of respite between more demanding selections. Consider programming it when you have soloists ready to feature but want the support of a forgiving, swingable tune underneath them.
Skills your students will build
- Reading lead sheet notation and comping changes in a jazz context
- Solo construction over a 12-bar blues or AABA form
- Articulation and phrasing appropriate to light rock and swing styles
- Ensemble balance when saxes carry the melody against full rhythm section
- Listening and responding to the rhythm section while improvising