Hey Arnold! (Main Theme) (arr. Mike Tomaro): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Laid-back, funky, and unmistakably 90s. The arrangement bounces along with a groove-oriented energy, flavored by blues and hip hop sensibilities that made the original cartoon so cool. It's the kind of thing that makes people in the audience smile and bob their heads.

Jazz ensembles at the intermediate level who want a recognizable, engaging piece that feels current and fun without being trivial. Your students likely grew up watching this show, which creates instant buy-in and motivation.

• Nail the syncopated hits in the horn section early in rehearsal. These define the funk pocket and set the tone for the whole ensemble's rhythmic feel.
• Let the rhythm section breathe and settle into the groove rather than rushing. A relaxed, confident backbeat sells the 90s vibe far better than tight precision.
• Balance the melody line so it punches through without drowning out the countermelodies. Tomaro layers several things at once, and clarity matters here.

Plant this on a spring concert devoted to film and television music, or use it as a crowd-pleaser opener that wakes up your audience and reminds them why jazz is fun. It also works beautifully as an encore or as filler between heavier, more serious works.

• Reading syncopated rhythmic figures common in jazz idiom
• Playing with swing feel and groove orientation
• Balancing melody, counter-melody, and accompanimental textures
• Interpreting articulation and dynamics in a funk-inflected context
• Responding to ensemble blend across sections with contrasting voicings