Groovin': Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Hodges gives young bands exactly what they need: permission to swing without overwhelming complexity. The walking bass and jazz drum patterns anchor the group while the melodies stay fresh and hummable, making this a natural fit for bands developing ensemble cohesion and jazz vocabulary. Contest and festival programmers appreciate how it delivers stylistic authenticity at an accessible level.

Laid-back and purposeful. The groove invites movement without rushing; students feel the pocket rather than chase the tempo. There's joy in the syncopation and swing, balanced by the clarity that comes from young players nailing the fundamentals of ensemble rhythm.

Grade 1.5 bands ready to explore jazz idiom with structured support. This works especially well for programs building confident soloists and section leaders, since the walking bass and drum interplay demand focused listening across the ensemble.

• Lock the walking bass and drum patterns first. These form the groove's backbone; once the rhythm section owns it, the rest of the band floats on top naturally.
• Shape the jazz articulations consciously. The snappiness comes from tonguing placement and release, not speed; spend rehearsal time on what makes a jazz note feel different from a classical one.
• Give the drummers space to shine during their fills. Brief pauses in the ensemble create contrast and let those moment shine without fighting for balance.

Slip this into a concert alongside a standard march and a ballad to show stylistic range without derailing your rehearsal schedule. At 2:15, it's perfect for festival entries where you need a contemporary piece that demonstrates both technical growth and musical maturity.

• Jazz articulation and swing feel
• Reading and executing walking bass lines
• Syncopated rhythm reading
• Listening to rhythm section and locking ensemble groove
• Dynamic balance in a jazz texture
• Drum fill independence and response