Fly Like An Eagle: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Paul Murtha's arrangement captures what made the original such a radio staple: an irresistible groove and instantly memorable hook that your students will be excited to learn. The Grade 3 scoring keeps technical demands reasonable while maintaining the funk and swagger of the original, making it accessible without sacrificing the energy that defines the song.

The arrangement channels the funk and forward momentum of the original while maintaining clarity for younger players. Expect your ensemble to settle into a confident, slightly laid-back groove that feels effortless once the parts lock together; it's the kind of tune that makes even inexperienced musicians sound sharp.

Jazz ensembles at the middle school through early high school level will find this arrangement perfectly calibrated to their abilities. Directors seeking contemporary material that students recognize and want to perform will appreciate how this chart delivers both musical substance and genuine student engagement.

• Focus the rhythm section on locking the feel in the pocket rather than rushing the tempo; this groove lives in restraint, not urgency.
• Bring out the countermelodies in the lower voices, especially when the lead saxophone or trumpet sits back; they're essential to the arrangement's texture.
• Balance the dynamics carefully during the quieter sections to create genuine contrast when the full ensemble enters; the song thrives on dynamic shape.

This works wonderfully as a concert closer or feature number in a mixed jazz program, especially when paired with standards or original compositions. It also serves as an excellent bridge between concert band literature and jazz repertoire for ensembles that are still building their jazz vocabulary.

• Swing and funk articulation (distinguishing smooth jazz phrasing from syncopated rock tonguing)
• Balancing melody and countermelody in ensemble contexts
• Maintaining groove and pocket feel under tempo
• Responding to section dynamics and dynamic shaping across an ensemble