Cruise Control: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$48.00 USD

Cruise Control: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Cruise Control: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-33838
Price: 48.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Steve Hodges

Grade: 1 (Very Easy)

Item: 00-33838

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A cool swing groove on the ride cymbal opens this jazzy piece for first year band students. With the low brass and woodwinds providing a driving walking bass line, the trumpets, saxes, and upper woodwinds trade the melody effectively throughout the piece. Solid scoring and a strong rhythmic foundation allow the band to really lay back and put themselves into the "cruise control" setting! This is a great learning tool introducing elements of the swing and jazz genres to the young band.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Cruise Control: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Alfred Debut Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 114

UPC: 038081395098

SKU: 00-33838

More about this title

About the Composer: Steve Hodges

Steve Hodges holds degrees from Western Oregon University (Bachelor of Science) and Central Washington University (Master of Music Education). He spent four decades in public school music education, directing concert bands, choirs, and chamber ensembles across multiple levels before retiring from full-time teaching.

Since 1986, Hodges has composed over 120 concert band works published by Alfred Music, along with choral arrangements through Staff Music and Shawnee Press. His compositions have appeared at festivals and state conventions internationally, and his work has been commissioned by honor bands and schools throughout North America. His music has also been licensed by TBS and ESPN for broadcast use. A member of ASCAP, Hodges now resides in The Dalles, Oregon, where he remains active in community music and watches his grandchildren perform his compositions in their school bands.

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Why we love this

Hodges writes with a clear ear for first-year ensemble balance. The swing groove sits naturally under young players' fingers, the walking bass line gives brass and woodwinds something genuinely musical to latch onto, and the melody trading between sections keeps engagement high without overwhelming anyone. This is what Grade 1 jazz writing should do: teach the style through authentic playing, not oversimplification.

What to expect

Laid-back and groovy. The ride cymbal sets an easy, propulsive motion while the walking bass line gives the band a sense of forward momentum without tension. Melodies pass between sections like a casual conversation, and the whole piece has the feeling of a band that's found its pocket and is enjoying the ride.

Who it's for

First-year concert band students encountering jazz and swing styles for the first time. Directors looking for accessible repertoire that teaches genuine jazz vocabulary and ensemble listening without relying on clichés or overly simplified voicings.

How to get the most out of it

Let the ride cymbal anchor the groove from the opening. The swing feel depends on a relaxed, steady pulse, so make sure your percussion section locks in early.
Keep the walking bass line moving forward but not rushed. Low brass and woodwinds should feel like they're supporting the harmonic motion, not just reading notes.
Encourage sections trading the melody to listen actively to one another. This isn't a relay race; each handoff should feel conversational.
Allow the band to settle into a relaxed dynamic. The "cruise control" concept only works if players aren't tensing up or pushing the tempo.

How to use it

Pair this with other Grade 1 concert or light jazz repertoire to build a "First Encounters with Jazz" concert segment. It works well early in the season as a confidence builder for young players, or as a palate cleanser in a program mixing traditional band arrangements with contemporary styles.