Jazz Venture: Concert Band Conductor Score

Hodges crafts this piece with the kind of practical musicality that comes from decades of working directly with student musicians. The straightforward Grade 2 accessibility paired with genuine jazz language means your students experience authentic stylistic writing without drowning in complexity. The solo opportunities give you natural spots to spotlight developing players while keeping the ensemble engaged.

Energetic and playful, with a groove that feels natural rather than forced. The strong bass foundation anchors the band while articulations and solo voices create conversational moments that feel spontaneous and fun.

Conductors seeking an accessible entry point into jazz repertoire for Grade 2 concert bands. This piece works equally well for groups new to jazz idiom and those looking to expand their jazz catalog with straightforward, engaging material.

• Establish the groove firmly in the rhythm section before rehearsing the full band; this piece lives and dies by the bass line and its pocket.
• Work articulations separately during early rehearsals. Jazz articulation differs from concert band defaults, so isolate those sections and reinforce the style with recordings.
• Schedule solo rehearsals with featured players beforehand so they arrive prepared to explore variations and phrasing rather than learning notes in ensemble.
• Let the recording (included in PerformancePlus+) sit for a full week before your first read-through; students who hear the piece once absorb the sound faster.

Program this alongside traditional concert band selections to demonstrate stylistic variety within a single concert. At roughly 2 minutes 30 seconds, it serves as an excellent pacing tool. It also pairs well with a jazz history discussion or demonstration, making it ideal for educational concerts where you want to highlight different musical languages.

• Reading and executing jazz articulations (tonguing, slurring, ghosting notes)
• Playing in an established groove and feeling subdivisions within a swing feel
• Listening to and responding to featured soloists while maintaining ensemble cohesion
• Understanding jazz voice-leading and the relationship between harmony and improvisation-like phrasing
• Balancing ensemble blend while maintaining clear part definition in a jazz texture