I Wish (arr. Mike Tomaro): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Stevie Wonder / Arranged by Mike Tomaro
Grade: 4
Item: 35-PK00477026
$55.00
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Description
This invigorating chart stays true to the classic sound of its creator Stevie Wonder. It features a medium slow groove and a flexible solo section. Guaranteed fun.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00477026
More about this title
About the Artist: Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder revolutionized popular music by proving that a blind musician could command every aspect of the recording studio. A multi-instrumentalist and producer from Detroit, he mastered keyboards, harmonica, and drums while crafting some of the most inventive pop and soul records of the 1970s and 1980s. His harmonic sophistication, rhythmic innovation, and emotional directness made him a model for what popular music could achieve artistically.
In the classroom, Wonder's catalog offers students a direct connection between contemporary songwriting and jazz language. His melodies sit naturally in the voice and band, while his chord progressions reward players who understand both pop sensibility and jazz harmony. His music reminds young musicians that accessibility and artistic depth are not opposites.
Why we love this
Mike Tomaro's arrangement captures Wonder's signature warmth without requiring virtuosic solo chops from every section. The flexible solo section means you can feature whoever is ready to step forward, and the medium slow groove sits in that sweet spot where students can relax into the pocket rather than chase the tempo.
What to expect
Relaxed and soulful. The medium slow groove sits in the body rather than the brain, and the arrangement glides with the kind of ease that makes students actually enjoy playing the tune. There is genuine affection in Tomaro's orchestration.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles at the Grade 4 level that want contemporary repertoire with substance. This works for groups with developing soloists and straightforward section players who still need to build confidence in a jazz setting.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the rhythm section lock the groove first in rehearsal. Once the drums and bass commit to the medium slow feel, the horns will sit more naturally in the pocket.
- Shape the melody phrasing to match Wonder's original vocal contours. Slight pushes and lags at phrase endings keep the tune sounding conversational rather than stiff.
- Treat the solo section as a workshop, not a showcase. Rotate who takes the form so more players get reps and everyone stays engaged.
How to use it
Pair this with a full concert of soul and R&B arrangements to show how popular music engages jazz language. Students recognize the original, which means they arrive in rehearsal already connected to the tune emotionally. It also works as a solid closer on a jazz concert because audiences recognize and respond to the melody immediately.
Skills your students will build
- Phrasing pop-inflected melody with jazz sensibility
- Playing in a relaxed, grooving medium slow tempo without dragging
- Trading solo space and listening to ensemble members on the form
- Balancing strict time with musical breathing and conversational phrasing