Gonna Fly Now: 2nd Trombone

López captures the driving energy of this iconic theme while keeping the chart grounded at Grade 2, meaning your ensemble gets real jazz style without the technical barriers. The Maynard Ferguson flavor gives players genuine role models to emulate, and the tenor solo creates a natural spotlight moment for a developing improvisor.

Triumphant and forward-moving. The melody sits high and bright, delivering the famous theme with undeniable nobility while the rhythm section propels it with modern rock energy. This is feel-good music that builds ensemble confidence.

Jazz ensembles in the second year of study or equivalent will find this arrangement immediately rewarding. It's designed for groups ready to tackle solo sections and rhythmic complexity without the reading demands of advanced charting.

• Balance the lead trumpet's bright, soaring melody with solid harmonic support from the middle voices. The power of this chart lives in the ensemble blend, not the solo cutting through.
• Anchor the rock groove in the rhythm section. This isn't a swing chart; lock the hi-hat and bass line into a tight, driving feel that matches the movie's intensity.
• Give the tenor solo player permission to commit to phrasing and dynamics. Even young soloists can learn stylistic independence when they're playing a recognizable melody they already love.

Program this as a crowd-pleaser at your spring concert or graduation ceremony; audiences recognize it instantly, and your ensemble will feel the emotional payoff of playing something this iconic together. It also works well as a morale builder early in the semester when you're introducing rock-style jazz vocabulary.

• Reading and executing rock-style rhythmic figures in a jazz context
• Balancing a prominent solo line with accompaniment texture
• Playing written jazz solo sections with stylistic phrasing
• Managing high register playing on lead trumpet (written A above staff)
• Ensemble cohesion in driving, energetic tempos