Moon River: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
By Henry Mancini / By Johnny Mercer / Arranged by Mark Taylor
Grade: 3
Item: 35-PK00158035
$45.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Moon River - Full Score | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - Alto Sax 1 | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - Alto Sax 2 | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - Tenor Sax 1 | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - Tenor Sax 2 | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - Baritone Sax | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - Trumpet 1 | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - Trumpet 2 | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - Trumpet 3 | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - Trumpet 4 | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - Trombone 1 | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - Trombone 2 | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - Trombone 3 | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - Trombone 4 | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - Guitar | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - Piano | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - Bass | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - Drums | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - Vibes | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - C Solo Sheet | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - Bb Solo Sheet | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - Eb Solo Sheet | $6.00 | |
| Moon River - C Bass Clef Solo | $6.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Using a Basie-style swing treatment, and written in 4/4 rather than the traditional 3/4, here is a great-sounding chart from Mark Taylor that will go together quickly. All sections get a chance to shine one this one!
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00158035
More about this title
About the Composer: Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini revolutionized film scoring by bringing jazz sophistication and orchestral elegance to Hollywood. His gift for melody combined with his deep understanding of ensemble writing made him one of the most recorded composers of the 20th century, influencing generations of arrangers and composers.
For music educators, Mancini's work offers an ideal entry point into understanding how popular song, jazz language, and classical structure coexist. His scores reward careful listening and reveal the craftsmanship behind seemingly effortless charm.
Why we love this
Mark Taylor's reframing of this beloved standard into a Basie-style swing chart is exactly what makes a piece essential for teaching big band repertoire. The shift from traditional waltz time to 4/4 swung feel opens the door to authentic jazz articulation and phrasing without losing the song's lyrical heart. Every section gets genuine solo or feature material, which means your entire ensemble leaves the rehearsal knowing they mattered to the sound.
What to expect
Sophisticated and swinging, yet completely unpretentious. The arrangement preserves the song's romantic, wistful character while infusing it with the rhythmic energy and forward motion of classic big band swing. This is a piece that sounds mature and polished from the first run-through.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles at the early-intermediate level who want to tackle a recognizable standard with real jazz vocabulary and genuine ensemble writing. Directors building a repertoire book that balances accessibility with musicality will find this chart both teachable and genuinely satisfying to perform.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the swing feel early by having the rhythm section lock in before adding horns. The groove sits behind the beat slightly; resist the temptation to push it forward.
- Balance the melody against the arranged background parts. The tune should always sing out, even when other sections carry counter lines or rhythmic figures.
- Shape the dynamics section by section during feature moments. This chart gives each group its spotlight, so use those moments to highlight individual section tone and intonation.
- Mark the stylistic shift from heads to solos clearly in rehearsal. The ensemble needs to understand when to play straight rhythm and when to float behind improvising soloists.
How to use it
Pair this with other standards arranged in contemporary styles to create a themed concert on American songbook classics. It works equally well as a spring pops concert feature or as a bridge piece between more challenging big band works in your concert order, giving audiences a familiar melody while showcasing your ensemble's jazz chops.
Skills your students will build
- Swung eighth-note interpretation and the rhythmic feel of Basie-style swing
- Reading and responding to section feature arrangements
- Balancing sectional independence with ensemble cohesion
- Understanding how standard tunes are recontextualized in jazz idiom
- Dynamic control and tone color awareness across full ensemble voicings