I Get a Kick Out of You: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Wolpe's arrangement captures the sophisticated swing of Porter's original while giving your ensemble real voices to play. The written alto solo offers a clear solo opportunity without requiring advanced improv skills, and that shout chorus lands hard every time. This is a tune your audience will recognize and your players will enjoy mastering.

Pure swinging joy. The intro kicks hard, the melody bounces with Porter's characteristic grace, and the alto solo invites personality without demanding bebop chops. The shout chorus is a communal climax where everyone leans in together.

Jazz ensemble directors seeking a standard with straight-ahead swing, built-in solo opportunity, and strong ensemble writing. Your players need solid section cohesion and the lead trumpet should be secure above the staff, but Grade 3 arranging keeps the parts accessible and idiomatic.

• Lock the intro groove with rhythm section and reeds in tight unison; that kickoff sets the energy for everything that follows.
• Balance the melody line across trumpet and saxophone sections so the tune stays front-and-center while ensemble voices support rather than compete.
• The written B in the lead trumpet is a high point; mark it in your score and make sure your lead has the chops and confidence to nail it cleanly.
• Shape the shout chorus with dynamic crescendo through all sections; treat it as a collective moment rather than spotlighting one group.

Pair this with other Porter standards or mid-century jazz tunes to build a full evening of recognizable material. It works equally well in a casual concert setting or as a showcase for your solid mid-level ensemble that plays with polish and swing feel.

• Swing feel and groove entrainment within a jazz ensemble texture
• Balanced section playing with clear melody and supporting voices
• Reading compound unison lines (multiple instruments playing the same melody)
• Dynamic shaping in ensemble passages (shout chorus)
• Lead voice responsibility (lead trumpet range and projection)