Motown Tribute: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
Arranged by Eric Richards
Grade: 4
Item: 35-PK00431448
$60.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Motown Tribute - Conductor Score (Full Score) | $7.50 | |
| Motown Tribute - Alto Sax 1 | $6.00 | |
| Motown Tribute - Alto Sax 2 | $6.00 | |
| Motown Tribute - Tenor Sax 1 | $6.00 | |
| Motown Tribute - Tenor Sax 2 | $6.00 | |
| Motown Tribute - Baritone Sax | $6.00 | |
| Motown Tribute - Trumpet 1 | $6.00 | |
| Motown Tribute - Trumpet 2 | $6.00 | |
| Motown Tribute - Trumpet 3 | $6.00 | |
| Motown Tribute - Trumpet 4 | $6.00 | |
| Motown Tribute - Trombone 1 | $6.00 | |
| Motown Tribute - Trombone 2 | $6.00 | |
| Motown Tribute - Trombone 3 | $6.00 | |
| Motown Tribute - Trombone 4 | $6.00 | |
| Motown Tribute - Guitar | $6.00 | |
| Motown Tribute - Piano | $6.00 | |
| Motown Tribute - Bass | $6.00 | |
| Motown Tribute - Drums | $6.00 | |
| Motown Tribute - Aux Percussion | $6.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
The music of Motown continues to stand the test of time with catchy melodies and well-constructed songs. Here's a well-crafted and entertaining production number that features "Dancing in the Street, I Heard It Through the Grapevine," and "My Girl."
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00431448
More about this title
About the Arranger: Eric Richards
Eric Richards brings decades of experience across composition, orchestration, and ensemble direction to his work at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Music. His arrangements and original compositions have graced stages from Carnegie Hall to the Montreux Jazz Festival, performed by ensembles ranging from the National Symphony Orchestra to the USAF Airmen of Note.
From 1984 through 2004, Richards served as composer and arranger for the US Army Field Band, a role that honed his ability to craft accessible yet sophisticated music for diverse audiences. This background informs his approach to popular music arrangements, where clarity of voice and ensemble blend are paramount.
Why we love this
Richards takes three instantly recognizable Motown classics and arranges them with the precision and sophistication that Grade 4 ensembles can actually execute. The arrangement respects both the original melodies and the harmonic language of Motown while creating genuine ensemble challenges that keep strong players engaged. Your students will connect immediately with the material, and audiences will recognize every note.
What to expect
Polished and propulsive. The three songs move through distinct moods while maintaining Motown's infectious spirit: the upbeat celebration of "Dancing in the Street," the sultry sophistication of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," and the warmth of "My Girl" create a complete emotional arc. The arrangement feels familiar yet fresh, letting your ensemble inhabit grooves that defined popular music.
Who it's for
Any Grade 4 jazz ensemble looking for accessible repertoire with real substance. This works equally well for programs seeking to showcase jazz in a concert setting or for ensembles building foundational groove and ensemble awareness.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the rhythmic foundation locked between bass and drums; Motown's signature sound depends on a rock-solid backbeat that sits slightly behind the beat rather than on top of it.
- Balance the horn sections so that melody and countermelody remain distinct even during full ensemble hits. Richards has layered these thoughtfully, and clarity rewards careful sectional rehearsal.
- Let the reeds breathe during the busier passages. These grooves invite energy, but overplaying will muddy the intended lightness.
- Pay special attention to where vocal melody moments occur; soloists or small groups should sing through their lines rather than merely play them.
How to use it
Open a spring jazz concert with this suite, or program it as an intermission piece that resets the room's energy. The medley structure also works beautifully as a finale to a larger concert program, sending audiences out with music they already love and your ensemble feeling confident and connected.
Skills your students will build
- Swing feel and behind-the-beat phrasing in a jazz context
- Balanced tutti playing while maintaining individual voice independence
- Reading syncopated rhythms in groove-based settings
- Melodic phrasing across three different song characters within one arrangement
- Ensemble blend in a small-group horn section