Mi Corazón: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

$48.00 USD

Mi Corazón: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Mi Corazón: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-30624
Price: 48.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Mike Smukal

Grade: 2 (Medium Easy)

Item: 00-30624

$48.00

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This is a beautiful melody and arrangement by Mike Smukal. It begins with a four-bar chorale intro, then moves into an easy bossa-feel, with the melody played by 1st alto sax and 2nd trumpet and a written-out solo later on for the alto. A shimmering ensemble section, lush harmonies and lead trumpet range to written G on top of the staff are but a few highlights of this fine chart. Gorgeous writing. (4:04) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Mi Corazón: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Young Jazz Ensemble

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 94

UPC: 038081342900

SKU: 00-30624

More about this title

About the Composer: Mike Smukal

Mike Smukal has established himself as a trusted voice in jazz education, known for writing accessible arrangements that don't sacrifice musical substance. His work appears regularly in student jazz curricula across the country, where directors appreciate both his technical clarity and his ear for compelling orchestration.

Smukal understands the realities of teaching jazz ensembles at the middle and early high school level. His scores balance playability with genuine musical interest, giving students meaningful parts to perform while keeping the technical demands reasonable.

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Why we love this

Smukal writes for young jazz ensembles with a gift for balancing accessibility with genuine sophistication. The four-bar chorale framing and the bossa groove feel earned, not forced, giving your students a real Latin jazz foundation without overcomplicating the ensemble texture. The shimmering harmonies and written alto solo reward section preparation while keeping the overall chart Grade 2.

What to expect

A warm, lyrical journey that opens in introspection before settling into an easy, rolling bossa groove. The lush harmonies and shimmer of the ensemble sections evoke an intimate late-night club feel without demanding virtuosic playing.

Who it's for

Jazz ensembles at the Grade 2 level who are ready to explore Latin jazz vocabulary and ensemble interplay. This chart works equally well for young players building confidence in small-group improvisation and for developing ensembles preparing for festivals or concerts.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the chorale intro with attention to harmonic movement; the ensemble should hear this as an arrival point, not just a setup. Take time in rehearsal to listen through four-bar sections and identify the harmonic color change.
Lock the bossa clave feel early. The rhythm section (piano, bass, drums) must be aligned before adding the melodic voices so the 1st alto and 2nd trumpet land with confidence on their entrance.
Give the alto soloist space to breathe and phrase. A written solo is an opportunity for the player to own the tune; mark your score with dynamic and rhythmic gestures that invite interpretation rather than metronomic execution.
Balance the lead trumpet's high passage (written G on top of the staff) by allowing the full ensemble to support the line without burying it. Adjust voicing in the reeds and lower brass so the lead voice projects.

How to use it

Program this as a centerpiece for a Latin jazz set, pairing it with uptempo samba or mambo charts to showcase your ensemble's range. It also serves as an excellent vehicle for solo features mid-concert, giving your alto saxophonist a moment to shine while the full ensemble provides tasteful support.