Cool (from West Side Story) (arr. Paul Murtha): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Murtha captures the restless energy of "Cool" without requiring a virtuoso rhythm section or college-level soloists. The angular riffs sit naturally in concert band voices, and the swing style remains authentic rather than watered down. For bands at this level, it's a rare opportunity to own a piece that sounds genuinely sophisticated.

Snappy and cool in the best sense of the word. The angular riffs give it an almost bebop edge despite the medium tempo, while the strategic use of space and staccato articulation creates an attitude that feels youthful and confident without being chaotic. There's a swagger here that students instinctively understand.

Concert bands at the intermediate level (grades 2-3) who want to program something with genuine jazz vocabulary and Broadway pedigree. It works equally well for ensembles looking to expand beyond traditional concert fare and for groups whose students respond better to recognizable, contemporary material.

• Lock the eighth note feel early in rehearsals; the swagger of this arrangement depends entirely on rhythmic precision and a relaxed, behind-the-beat placement.
• Balance the ensemble so that riff sections speak without overshadowing solo lines. Murtha's voicing makes this possible if you trust the arrangement rather than forcing volume.
• Work the articulation patterns as written. The staccatos and accents create the "cocky attitude" mentioned in the description; glossing over them flattens the entire character.
• Let the medium swing tempo breathe in the first run-through; many conductors push this too fast out of excitement, but the groove needs space to land.

Program this alongside other mid-century American standards to create a Broadway or film music concert that appeals to general audiences. It also pairs naturally with jazz ensemble repertoire if your band includes players who want to develop their swing vocabulary. The accessibility makes it ideal for a mid-season concert where you're ready to take risks with style but not with logistics.

• Reading and executing swing eighths with appropriate rhythmic placement
• Balancing rhythmic riffs with melodic lines in a homophonic texture
• Articulation clarity in staccato and accented passages
• Flexible instrumentation and part doubling
• Understanding jazz style conventions in a concert band context