It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) Cover Image

It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Marching Band Conductor Score

$8.00 USD

It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Marching Band Conductor Score

Name: It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing): Marching Band Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-40218S
Price: 8.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Music by Duke Ellington, words by Irving Mills / arr. Victor López, perc. arr. Anthony M. Falcone

Grade: 3 (Medium)

Item: 00-40218S

$8.00

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Here is a hard-swinging new arrangement of the classic Duke Ellington tune by Victor López. Victor pulls out all the stops with this one---lots of cool licks, a percussion feature, and high-impact sounds from start to finish. This is not for the fainthearted! (1:30)

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Series: Mega Sounds for Marching Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 8

UPC: 038081451480

SKU: 00-40218S

More about this title

About the Composer: Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington (1899-1974) stands as one of the most significant composers in American music history. His sophisticated harmonies, innovative orchestrations, and prolific output across jazz, concert music, and film scores shaped the sound of twentieth-century music and continue to influence composers today.

Ellington's ability to write memorable melodies paired with complex harmonic language made his compositions enduring standards. Many of his pieces, including this one, have become foundational repertoire in music education, offering students access to genuine jazz vocabulary and the craftsmanship of a master orchestrator.

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Why we love this

Victor López and Anthony M. Falcone have transformed this Ellington classic into a marching band showstopper that actually swings. The arrangement respects the original's harmonic sophistication while building momentum through creative orchestration and a standout percussion feature, making it a concert highlight that demands real musicianship from every section.

What to expect

From the opening downbeat, this arrangement radiates confidence and groove. Cool licks unfold across the ensemble while driving rhythms propel the piece forward, building toward the percussion feature that showcases the band's precision and personality.

Who it's for

This conductor score is essential for marching band directors looking to program a high-energy, audience-friendly jazz standard that challenges musicians without overwhelming them. Grade 3 students with solid fundamentals can handle the syncopation, articulation demands, and section independence required here.

How to get the most out of it

Lock the rhythm section (brass and percussion) into a tight pocket before layering in the upper voices; the swagger of this tune depends entirely on secure timekeeping.
Balance the melodic statement against the background figures so both cut through; López writes active counterlines that support rather than compete with the melody.
Shape the percussion feature as a true solo moment with space and control; resist the temptation to rush through the cool licks and let them land.
Emphasize the syncopated rhythms and articulation markings without sounding choppy; swing inflection requires forward motion, not mechanical staccato.

How to use it

Open a pops or jazz-focused concert with this piece to set an energetic tone, or program it mid-set as a change of pace from your classical repertoire. At 1:30, it fits efficiently into any length program while making a memorable impact.