Four of a Kind Cover Image

Four of a Kind: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$65.00 USD
Sale price  $65.00 USD Regular price 
Skip to product information
Four of a Kind Cover Image

Four of a Kind: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Jazz Quartet

By Jack Bullock

Grade: 3 (Medium Easy)

Item: 00-SC8508

makemusic Cloud badge

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version
$65.00
Shipped

One moment…

Description
Feature four trumpets in this swing-era style work for concert band. Reflect on the 40s, 50s and 60s musically as the trumpets set the stage for grand memories of the big-band sound. The key to the accompaniment is attention to articulation. Highly programmatic.

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

Sample Pages

Sample Audio
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
Additional Details
Series: Belwin Concert Band
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 176
UPC: 038081353012
SKU: 00-SC8508

More about this title

About the Composer: Jack Bullock

Jack Bullock

Jack Bullock brings the perspective of a working musician and educator to everything he composes and arranges. His performing background spans classical orchestras, opera companies, and big-band ensembles across the country, which informs his deep understanding of how different instruments work together. He holds degrees through the doctoral level in Music Education and taught instrumental music in secondary classrooms for two decades, including seven years as an assistant band director at Ithaca College's School of Music, where he also chaired the Music Education Department.

With over 600 published works for concert band, orchestra, jazz ensemble, and marching band, Bullock has established himself as a prolific voice in music education literature. He co-authored the Belwin 21st Century Band Method and contributed arrangements to Music Expressions, Alfred Music's comprehensive school music curriculum. His work has earned recognition in national directories, and he has conducted clinics across the United States, Canada, and England since joining ASCAP in 1980.

Why we love this

Bullock captures the swagger and energy of the big-band era without requiring virtuosic technique from your band. The writing sits comfortably for Grade 3 players while delivering genuine stylistic authenticity, especially in the articulation patterns that define the swing sound. Programming this piece signals to your audience that your band understands jazz history and can execute style-specific performance practices, making it a strong festival choice.

What to expect

Four of a Kind transports listeners to smoky jazz clubs and grand ballrooms of the 1940s through 1960s. The trumpet quartet gleams against a swinging ensemble backdrop, evoking the nostalgia and energy of the big-band era while remaining warmly familiar and approachable.

Who it's for

Directors programming Grade 3 concert bands who want to give their students exposure to authentic jazz and swing styles while maintaining accessibility. Bands preparing for festivals and contests will find this piece both performable and distinctive on a program.

How to get the most out of it

  • Build precision in the articulation scheme among all sections. The accompaniment's character relies entirely on uniform tonguing across similar figures, so mark those articulation patterns clearly and spend rehearsal time syncing the style across parts.
  • Balance the four-trumpet feature. These voices should cut through without bullying the rest of the ensemble; use dynamic rehearsal techniques to carve out space for them while keeping the whole band engaged.
  • Lean into the stylistic swing feel without overplaying it. A light touch on the eighth-note swing and natural phrasing will sound more authentic than exaggerated interpretation.
  • Shape the larger arc across the full work. With a programmatic design spanning decades of big-band tradition, think about how moods and tempos shift to tell that musical story for your audience.

How to use it

Place this piece in a concert where you can program it alongside more traditional band repertoire to showcase your ensemble's stylistic range. Its contest-friendly designation makes it an ideal choice for festival competitions, where it will stand out as a skillfully written, era-specific work that demonstrates your band's musicality.

Skills your students will build

  • Swing-style articulation and phrasing
  • Listening for intonation and balance within a jazz-inflected ensemble
  • Understanding era-specific interpretation and style conventions
  • Reading and executing syncopated rhythmic figures
  • Balancing featured parts with accompaniment roles

You May Also Like