My Favorite Things (from The Sound of Music): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Paul Murtha's arrangement transforms this beloved standard into a jazz waltz that swings naturally without losing the tune's infectious charm. The section-to-section melody passing keeps every player engaged while the trumpet and tenor solos offer accessible improvisation opportunities that build confidence without demanding advanced chops.

This arrangement settles into a warm, conversational groove. The waltz meter gives it an almost conversational sway, while the easy-flowing swing style encourages players to breathe with the phrases rather than fight against the time.

Young jazz ensembles discovering that familiar standards offer genuine learning ground. Grade 2 reading skills combined with an instantly recognizable melody create the perfect setup for building jazz vocabulary and section identity.

• Keep the waltz lilt gentle and floating; resist the urge to rush the three-beat feel even as the swing section enters. The relaxation is the point.
• Feature the section solos as conversations between instruments rather than one player showing off. The ensemble response should acknowledge and support each solo voice.
• Balance the melody trading across saxes, bones, and trumpets so no section dominates. This is an arrangement about color and movement, not weight.

Pair this with other Broadway jazz treatments to build a themed set, or drop it into a mixed concert where you need a moment of brightness and accessibility. The combination of familiarity and light improvisational content makes it ideal for mid-year performances when students are finding their jazz chops.

• Jazz phrasing and articulation in a waltz meter
• Section melody passing and balanced blend
• Basic jazz solo construction over a familiar harmonic framework
• Listening responsively to other voices while maintaining the swing feel