Cool (from West Side Story): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
By Stephen Sondheim / By Leonard Bernstein / Arranged by Mark Taylor
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK00147801
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Description
From one of the most famous musicals of all time, here is the swingin' and aptly titled "Cool." Mark's version for young players remains true to the original but adds a touch of contemporary flair with the melody passed from section to section and solo space for trumpet. Timeless!
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00147801
More about this title
About the Composer: Stephen Sondheim
Stephen Sondheim revolutionized musical theater by proving that songs could be simultaneously complex and accessible, intellectually rigorous and deeply moving. His lyrics demonstrate mastery of internal rhyme, metric precision, and narrative function; his melodies balance sophistication with memorability. For music educators, Sondheim's work serves as a masterclass in how melody, harmony, and text can work in concert to reveal character and advance storytelling.
Why we love this
Mark Taylor's arrangement captures the rebellious energy of the original without overwhelming young ensemble players. The sectional melody trading keeps attention high and gives multiple voices their moment in the spotlight, while the trumpet solo space invites your strongest players to shine within a structured framework. It's a chance to teach swing style and rhythmic precision while performing a score so iconic your students will actually want to practice it.
What to expect
Propulsive and cool in the truest sense. The melody floats over a rhythmic foundation that propels forward with understated confidence, never rushed, never laid back. There's attitude here without aggression; the swagger belongs to characters who know exactly who they are.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles at the high school or advanced middle school level who need a program piece with instant recognition and built-in appeal. Directors looking for Grade 3 material that doesn't sacrifice musicality for accessibility will find this particularly useful.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the swing eighth-note feel in sectional rehearsals before running full passages. The groove only works if players understand they're not straight eighths.
- Let the trumpet soloist rehearse their passage with the rhythm section alone first. This builds confidence and locks the pocket before adding the full ensemble back in.
- Balance the melody section to section; resist the urge to make any one voice dominate. The arrangement's strength comes from its dialogue between parts.
How to use it
Program this as a contrasting piece in a jazz or Broadway-themed concert, or use it to open a set with high energy and immediate audience engagement. The Grade 3 level means it won't derail your other rehearsal priorities while still earning substantial applause.
Skills your students will build
- Swing articulation and phrasing in a contemporary context
- Sectional independence while maintaining ensemble cohesion
- Reading syncopated rhythms across multiple parts
- Balancing solo spotlight with ensemble responsibility
- Understanding stylistic interpretation beyond note accuracy