Change Is Good: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

Goodwin has a gift for writing accessible, groove-centered jazz that never sacrifices sophistication. The Latin straight-eighth feel at a moderate tempo gives your section players room to settle into their parts without rushing, while the suggested solos for multiple transpositions mean you're not locked into a specific instrumentation. A 5:27 runtime is substantial enough to showcase musicianship but compact enough to fit naturally into most concert programs.

Change Is Good breathes with a relaxed, swaying Latin groove that feels more like a comfortable conversation than a showcase piece. The melody sits mellow and approachable, anchored by the steady straight-eighth pulse, while the optional solos invite individual voices to step forward and color the arrangement with personality.

This conductor score works for intermediate to upper-level high school jazz ensembles and college jazz bands seeking repertoire that is straightforward to learn but rewarding to perform. The Grade 3.5 difficulty level assumes solid sight-reading skills and basic jazz vocabulary, making it ideal for ensembles with at least one or two years of jazz band experience.

• Lock the straight-eighth groove early in rehearsal. The Latin feel at 125 BPM requires precision from your rhythm section, but it's not so brisk that players will struggle with articulation.
• Explore who plays solos based on your ensemble's strengths. Goodwin's flexibility with transpositions (C, B-flat, E-flat, and bass clef) means you can feature your strongest improvisers rather than forcing solos onto unprepared players.
• Balance the vibes and auxiliary percussion with the ensemble. These colors are integral to the chart's character, so ensure they're heard without burying the horn sections.
• Keep the lead trumpet articulation crisp and even. The range to written G-sharp is demanding, so clarity in the upper register will help your lead player project the melody cleanly.

Use this as a centerpiece for a jazz-focused concert or as a strong contemporary selection within a mixed jazz and standards program. Its moderate length and accessible energy make it work well following a more challenging piece or preceding something with higher velocity. The chart's coolness and sophistication also pairs nicely with other Goodwin arrangements if you're building a themed set around his style.

• Reading and executing straight-eighth grooves in a Latin jazz context
• Ensemble balance and precision in medium-tempo jazz articulation
• Jazz improvisation over a consistent harmonic framework (for soloists)
• Listening and responding to rhythm section time feel
• Transposition and flexibility across different instrumental registers