Jericho: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

Sharp's arrangement strips away unnecessary complexity while preserving the spiritual's character and the infectious swagger of big band swing. The connection to Sing, Sing, Sing gives your ensemble an iconic rhythmic foundation that swings naturally, making rehearsal time genuinely efficient. This is the kind of piece that works in concert, rewards quick preparation, and sounds polished within reach of a developing group.

Swing energy collides with spiritual depth as the familiar Joshua Fit de Battle of Jericho emerges in a 1940s big band setting. The ostinato drives everything forward with relentless motion, while the melody floats over the top with unexpected dignity. You're hearing a spiritual reborn in the language of Benny Goodman, joyful and purposeful at once.

Jazz ensemble directors working with developing groups at the middle or high school level will find this arrangement immediately playable and genuinely effective. The Grade 2 difficulty makes it accessible without sacrificing musicality or audience appeal. Programs seeking repertoire that requires manageable rehearsal time but delivers professional-sounding results will connect with this piece.

• Establish the ostinato as your rhythmic anchor. Lock the rhythm section into a groove early in rehearsals so soloists and tutti passages feel secure.
• Balance the familiar spiritual melody against the swing accompaniment. The arrangement's power comes from that contrast, not from drowning one with the other.
• Pay attention to articulation and phrasing in the ensemble hits. Precision there will tighten the overall sound and give the swung rhythms clarity.
• Let the Benny Goodman DNA breathe. Avoid over-conducting; this style lives in the pocket, not in rigid time-keeping.

Position this as a first-set closer or second-set opener where you want to shift energy. The immediate accessibility of the spiritual melody gives audiences an entry point while the swing arrangement holds musicians' interest. It works equally well on jazz festivals, pops concerts, or community performances where you want to bridge traditional and contemporary idioms.

• Executing swing rhythms and the shuffle feel
• Reading and executing ostinato patterns with precision
• Balancing melody and accompaniment in ensemble contexts
• Phrasing and articulation for jazz style authenticity
• Quick preparation and efficiency in learning new material