Merry Christmas, and All That Jazz!: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

This arrangement proves that Grade 2 bands can swing and groove without sacrificing clarity or ensemble coherence. Story layers genuine jazz voicings and rhythmic independence over two instantly recognizable melodies, giving students a real taste of how standards get reimagined rather than simply presenting a simplified version.

Relaxed and playful, with the swagger of a New Orleans street band or Chicago jazz club transplanted into a concert hall. The familiar melodies ground the listener while the rhythmic swagger and blue notes create something that feels both celebratory and sophisticated.

Conductors looking for a concert piece that brings genuine joy and musical interest to winter holiday programs without veering into novelty territory. This works equally well for mid-season concerts or all-school holiday celebrations where you want to give students a chance to explore jazz language within the concert band context.

• Balance the melody clearly in the upper woodwinds while keeping the rhythm section tight and driving; the jazz feel depends on confident articulation and steady pocket playing from the low brass and percussion.
• Emphasize the syncopated rhythms in the accompaniment parts rather than straightening them out; this is where the Memphis and New Orleans flavor lives.
• Work the articulation in sections before rehearsing full ensemble, especially any staccato passages that lean into the swing or funk feel.
• Let the soloists breathe naturally and play with slight swing feel rather than metronomic precision; familiarity with the original melodies actually helps here, as students can add expressive phrasing.

Pair this with one traditional holiday arrangement and one contemporary piece to create a well-rounded winter concert that respects tradition while showing students new musical directions. At just under 2 minutes 40 seconds, it's an ideal centerpiece or closing number that leaves the audience smiling.

• Reading syncopated rhythms and swing articulation in a jazz context
• Balancing melody against rhythmic accompaniment figures
• Maintaining steady tempo and groove through independent part-writing
• Listening for and executing stylistic nuance beyond classical straight-tone playing
• Connecting familiar melodies to new harmonic and rhythmic frameworks