Ellington! (arr. Stephen Bulla): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Stephen Bulla captures the swagger and sophistication of Ellington's catalog without requiring your ensemble to navigate complex jazz phrasing or chromatic density. Six standards from different eras of the Ellington orchestra weave together seamlessly, giving students a genuine entry point into American jazz composition while keeping the Grade 4 band engaged with instantly recognizable melodies.

Urbane and stylish, with the energy of a big band in full swing and the sophistication of Ellington's harmonic language. The piece moves between moments of sultry elegance and infectious rhythmic drive, capturing both the nightclub atmosphere and the compositional ambition that defined the Ellington orchestra.

Concert bands at the Grade 4 level looking to program jazz-rooted music that doesn't require specialized knowledge of jazz idioms. This medley works equally well for bands seeking repertoire that connects to American musical heritage or for ensembles wanting to introduce students to composition beyond the concert band traditional cannon.

• The swing figures throughout demand crisp articulation and forward-moving eighth notes. Rehearse these rhythms with a metronome to lock the pocket before you worry about any expressive elements.
• Balance the soloists against the section support in "Caravan" and "Ko Ko." Many Grade 4 bands tend to drown out the featured voice; mark the accompanying parts down a dynamic level in rehearsal.
• "It Don't Mean a Thing" thrives on laid-back phrasing. Don't rush the melody or the harmony; let the band settle into the groove rather than pushing forward.
• Blend the saxophones carefully during the "Sophisticated Lady" section. Ellington's voicings rely on smooth tone matching across the section to achieve his signature sound.

This works beautifully as a second or third selection on a concert, offering a tonal and stylistic contrast to classical or contemporary works while keeping audience energy high. Consider pairing it with a march to frame an "American Music" concert, or place it in the final third of a program where the lighter touch and accessible melodies provide welcome relief from heavier repertoire.

• Swing eighth-note articulation and phrasing
• Reading jazz chord symbols and reharmonization
• Balancing soloists within full ensemble textures
• Understanding the blues tonality in concert band contexts
• Interpreting style indicators specific to jazz idiom (laid-back, straight, shuffle)