Deck the Halls: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

$48.00 USD

Deck the Halls: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Deck the Halls: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-41120
Price: 48.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Traditional / arr. Mike Collins-Dowden

Grade: 2 (Medium Easy)

Item: 00-41120

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A clever calypso arrangement that is easy to play. Features include a written solo for tenor 1, a trumpet 1 range to written F top line, and an interlude with counterpoint. (2:58) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Deck the Halls: Jazz Ensemble 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: Young Jazz Ensemble

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 98

UPC: 038081470160

SKU: 00-41120

More about this title

About the Arranger: Mike Collins-Dowden

Mike Collins-Dowden has been directing band at Pleasant Ridge School in Glenview, Illinois since 2007, where he works with 4th and 5th grade students. He earned his B.M. in music education and trombone performance from the Eastman School of Music in 2003, followed by an M.M. in music education from Temple University in 2007. He performed with the Eastman Wind Ensemble during their 2004 Japan tour.

Collins-Dowden is a prolific composer for young concert and jazz bands who writes directly from classroom experience. Over 30 of his compositions have been published with Alfred/Belwin, FJH, and Jalen Music. Beyond the classroom, he performs on trombone and guitar and has ventured into video game music composition on Nintendo Game Boy.

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Why we love this

Collins-Dowden knows exactly what Grade 2 jazz ensembles need: an arrangement that swings without overwhelming the section leaders. The calypso energy gives this familiar carol a completely fresh identity, and the tenor 1 solo is written at an approachable pitch while still sounding genuine. The counterpoint in the interlude adds sophistication without derailing younger players.

What to expect

Warm steel drums and a gentle reggae lilt transform a carol into something you want to move with. The swing groove sits comfortably in the ensemble's pocket while the counterpoint section introduces unexpected harmonic color, reminding players that jazz arrangements can be playful and intricate at once.

Who it's for

Young jazz ensembles (Grades 4-6 or middle school jazz groups) looking for a repertoire piece that honors a traditional melody while teaching ensemble jazz vocabulary. This works especially well for groups still building confidence with swing feel and section independence.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the written tenor 1 solo against the rhythm section by having the soloist match the energy of the drums and bass rather than leading over them.
Let the counterpoint in the interlude breathe by keeping the accompaniment light and precise; young players often rush when parts move together.
Build the trumpet 1 range gradually through rehearsals so players aren't intimidated by the written F top line; emphasize steady air and voicing consistency.
Record a run-through without the solo section to help rhythm players lock in their feel before blending the full ensemble.

How to use it

Program this during winter concerts alongside a traditional carol for contrast, or pair it with other Grade 2 jazz pieces to showcase your ensemble's stylistic range. The sub-3-minute length makes it ideal as an opener or palette cleanser between longer rehearsal-intensive pieces.