In the Midnight Hour: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
Arr. Victor López
Grade: 2 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0002476
$44.00
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Description
Wilson Pickett for your jazz ensemble? Absolutely! Victor López does it best by taking a classic rock song and adapting it for the young jazz ensemble player. What a solid groove tempo for the band---they'll really dig into this chart, and you'll need only minimum prep time for a great performance. No individual solos---just ensemble throughout---reasonable ranges, and a really fun bass part. With the addition of the flexible instrumentation and the optional parts, IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR just about plays itself!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, In the Midnight Hour: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Young Jazz Ensemble
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
48
SKU:
00-PK-0002476
More about this title
About the Arranger: Victor Lopez
Victor López is an arranger and composer whose work spans jazz, pop, and educational settings. His arrangements for young jazz ensembles balance authentic groove and harmonic language with accessibility, making contemporary and classic material playable for developing musicians without sacrificing musicality.
Why we love this
López strips away the complexity that often makes rock-to-jazz adaptations feel forced or oversimplified. The arrangement respects the song's infectious groove while keeping part writing straightforward enough that your section leaders can nail it quickly, freeing rehearsal time for what matters: locking in the pocket together.
What to expect
Vintage soul groove translated for the jazz band: funky, propulsive, and undeniably fun. The piece carries that late-60s soul-rock swagger while the jazz ensemble colors add freshness and clarity, making it feel both timeless and contemporary.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles at the Grade 2 level who want a recognizable, high-energy piece that doesn't demand extensive solo development or advanced musicianship. Directors working with younger groups or those building ensemble cohesion will appreciate how the arrangement lets the whole band sound unified immediately.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythm section into the groove first. The bass part is genuinely fun and driving; let the drummers and bass players own it before layering winds on top.
- Keep the tempo steady and slightly laid-back. This arrangement thrives on that solid, deliberate feel rather than rushing.
- Balance the ensemble blend by treating the unison figures as the centerpiece. Since there are no featured solos, the arranged passages are what the audience hears and remembers.
How to use it
Use this as an opener or closer on a concert devoted to soul, R&B, and rock repertoire alongside other pop-to-jazz adaptations. Its solid groove and short prep time make it ideal for spring concerts or community performances where you want immediate impact and audience recognition.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and maintaining steady rhythm section grooves
- Balancing ensemble blend in unison and homophonic passages
- Interpreting jazz articulation and phrasing in a pop-derived context
- Listening for pocket and ensemble lock without featured solos to anchor attention