Cruise Control: Concert Band Conductor Score

$6.00 USD

Cruise Control: Concert Band Conductor Score

Name: Cruise Control: Concert Band Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-33838S
Price: 6.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Steve Hodges

Grade: 1 (Very Easy)

Item: 00-33838S

$6.00

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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.

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Series: Alfred Debut Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 12

UPC: 038081395104

SKU: 00-33838S

More about this title

About the Composer: Steve Hodges

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

Since 1986, Hodges has composed and arranged 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 music conventions worldwide and have been commissioned by honor bands and schools in Virginia, Iowa, Winnipeg, British Columbia, Oregon, Washington, and North Carolina. His music has also been licensed by TBS and ESPN for broadcast use. Hodges holds membership in the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and has received multiple standard awards. He resides in The Dalles, Oregon and remains active in community music.

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Why we love this

Hodges writes with a clear understanding of what a first-year band can actually execute. The swing groove sits comfortably in the sweet spot between genuine jazz vocabulary and beginner-friendly rhythmic demands, giving your students their first taste of style beyond the march without overwhelming them. The scoring lets everyone have moments with the melody, which keeps young players engaged and invested.

What to expect

A relaxed, confident groove that feels effortless once your band locks in. The swing ride cymbal opens things with cool confidence, and the interplay between the rhythm section and melodic voices creates a real sense of conversation and ease rather than tension.

Who it's for

First-year concert band students ready to explore jazz and swing idioms in a manageable, grade-appropriate context. Directors introducing younger students to style and ensemble listening while reinforcing fundamental band skills.

How to get the most out of it

Establish the ride cymbal groove early in rehearsals as your rhythmic anchor; ask the cymbal player to stay relaxed and steady so the entire band can settle into the swing feel.
Work the walking bass line separately with low brass and woodwinds until it locks in as a cohesive unit, then layer the upper voices on top.
Balance the melody trades between saxes and trumpets so each section can be clearly heard; resist the urge to have everyone play at full volume.
Encourage the band to listen to professional swing recordings to internalize the laid-back groove the title promises.

How to use it

Program this as a bridge piece between traditional concert fare and jazz ensemble work, or as a standalone feature that shows parents and audiences the range of styles young musicians can tackle. It also works well as a rehearsal mood-lifter mid-program when you need to showcase your students having genuine fun with the music.