Man In The Mirror: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Roger Holmes has orchestrated this chart with real intelligence about what works in a jazz ensemble setting. The alto sax feature immediately engages your section, and the gradual intensification respects the ensemble's ability to build energy without ever feeling forced. It's a song your students actually want to play, which makes the musical work feel purposeful rather than obligatory.

The piece opens with introspection, the alto voice candid and searching. As harmonies deepen and the ensemble gradually enters the texture, momentum builds naturally until the final chorus arrives with undeniable impact. It's reflective turning purposeful.

Jazz ensembles at the intermediate level who want contemporary repertoire with genuine musical substance. Directors seeking a piece that bridges the gap between pop accessibility and jazz musicianship will find this arrangement delivers on both counts.

• Balance the opening carefully; the alto soloist needs room to breathe, but the accompanying voices must remain present enough to establish harmonic context.
• Mark the intensity shifts in rehearsal with specific dynamics and articulation changes so the band understands when they're moving from one energy level to the next.
• Ensure the final chorus has genuine weight by bringing all sections into the mix; this is where individual contributions crystallize into collective power.
• Lock in the rhythmic pocket early by having rhythm section members isolate and drill their parts together before full ensemble rehearsals.

Program this alongside other contemporary jazz arrangements in a concert celebrating modern songwriting. The opening solo section makes it equally effective as a feature piece within a larger set, and its emotional arc provides a satisfying anchor point for an evening of varied repertoire.

• Accompanying a featured soloist while maintaining ensemble cohesion
• Controlling dynamics across an extended crescendo
• Articulation clarity in pop and rock contexts
• Reading and executing stylistically accurate jazz rhythms
• Balancing individual voices within ensemble texture