God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

$70.00 USD

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Name: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-26892
Price: 70.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Traditional / arr. Gordon Goodwin

Grade: 5 (Advanced / Difficult)

Item: 00-26892

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Here is and exciting Gordon Goodwin big band jazz for the holidays as recorded by the Big Phat Band. Features include: a chorale saxophone section introduction, a full ensemble swing at about mm=200, a sax soli, solo space for alto, tenor, trumpet, trombone and piano, a modulation and a big shout chorus. It's all here, it's Gordon Goodwin---what else do you need? (1:53) 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, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen: 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: Gordon Goodwin Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 78

UPC: 038081299990

SKU: 00-26892

More about this title

About the Arranger: Gordon Goodwin

Gordon Goodwin's compositional voice emerged early and fully formed. By age five, he was transcribing complete compositions from memory, and at thirteen he had already written his first big band chart, "Hang Loose." This rare combination of instinctive musicality and technical mastery caught the attention of film and television producers, leading to Emmy Awards and Grammy nominations for his cinematic work on scores ranging from "Bad Boys II" to "Remember the Titans."

Beyond Hollywood, Goodwin has built an international reputation as a bandleader, collaborator, and orchestrator. He has written for and performed alongside artists including Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, and Christina Aguilera, and has conducted major orchestras in Atlanta, Dallas, Utah, Seattle, Toronto, and London. Since founding Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band in 2000, he has established himself as one of Los Angeles's most distinctive voices in contemporary big band jazz, earning multiple Grammy nominations for large jazz ensemble albums and compositions.

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Why we love this

This arrangement captures the energy and craftsmanship of an actual Big Phat Band recording, giving your ensemble access to professional-level writing that still sits squarely at Grade 5. The saxophone section opener establishes atmosphere, the swing hits hard at tempo, and the stacked solo space (alto, tenor, trumpet, trombone, piano) means every section gets a moment to shine without overwhelming the ensemble.

What to expect

Polished, swinging, and energetic. The arrangement opens with introspection in the saxophone introduction, then releases into propulsive big band motion. Solo passages give moments of vulnerability and showcase, while the final shout chorus lands with the confidence of a professional recording.

Who it's for

Advanced jazz ensembles with strong section discipline and at least one capable soloist in each featured chair (alto, tenor, trumpet, trombone, piano). This works equally well for competitive jazz programs, festival-bound groups, or ensembles wanting to program sophisticated holiday jazz that doesn't compromise on musicality.

How to get the most out of it

Establish the saxophone chorale intro with warmth and blend; this is your setup, not a race. Let the voices lock vertically before moving into swing.
The modulation should feel like a genuine lift in energy and key center, not a jarring moment. Rehearse the transition as a full ensemble to ensure clean voice leading.
Encourage soloists to reference the Big Phat Band recording for phrasing and stylistic cues; this arrangement rewards individual personality within a tight ensemble framework.
Keep the shout chorus crisp and unified. The impact comes from precision and conviction, not volume alone.

How to use it

Program this as a winter concert centerpiece or holiday jazz set finale. The upbeat tempo and festive energy work beautifully alongside more traditional holiday fare, and the recorded reference gives audiences a chance to hear what professional execution sounds like. At 1 minute 53 seconds, it fits neatly into a full concert pacing.

Skills your students will build

Swing articulation and feel at faster tempos (mm=200)
Section blend and balance in contemporary big band voicings
Solo accompaniment listening and comping skills (piano in particular)
Reading complex jazz charts with idiomatic rhythmic notation
Ensemble cohesion through modulations and sectional transitions
Jazz style interpretation (tone, phrasing, and articulation beyond classical standards)