Jingle Bones: Concert Band Conductor Score

This is the kind of arrangement that gives a full ensemble concert a genuine spark. The trombone feature is clever without being precious, and the running time works perfectly for a mid-concert palate cleanser. Story's orchestration ensures that Grade 1 players stay engaged and interested while the audience gets real entertainment value.

Bright and charming, with just enough personality to keep an audience smiling without veering into gimmick territory. The arrangement has that satisfying quality of a well-known tune reimagined for young winds, complete with the shimmer of glissandi that catches both ear and eye.

Band directors programming beginner or early-intermediate concert bands who want a crowd-pleasing holiday piece that actually sounds musical, not novelty-driven. Trombonists at the Grade 1 level gain performance confidence through a feature that highlights their voice without technical overreach.

• Balance the trombone section feature against the full band so soloists project clearly without the accompaniment drowning them out. A quick sectional with the trombones can establish confidence before dress rehearsal.
• Shape the glissando passages musically rather than treating them as just a technical effect. Encourage trombones to think of them as singing lines, not just novelty slides.
• Lock in the rhythm section early in rehearsal so the trombone features sit on a steady rhythmic foundation. This allows soloists to breathe and phrase naturally.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to build individual trombone confidence in sections where they carry the melody. Many Grade 1 players benefit from hearing themselves in context.

Slot this into a winter concert as your second or third piece, right after opening selections but before heavier repertoire. It resets audience energy and gives your ensemble a moment of genuine fun without diminishing the concert's musicality.

• Trombone glissando technique and control
• Ensemble balance with featured sections
• Phrasing and musicality at accessible tempi
• Concert band transposition reading (Grade 1 level)
• Rhythmic precision in ensemble contexts