Oh Chanukah: Score
Traditional / arr. Rick Hirsch
Grade: 1 (Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0006787
$9.00
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Description
You'll love this very catchy treatment of a traditional Chanukah song done here with a Bo Diddley groove arranged by Rick Hirsch. Very accessible for a young band with brief written-out solo statements for tenor 1, alto 1, trumpet 1, trombone 1 with each cued for others for flexibility. Trumpet 1 range only to written E-flat top space with optional flute, clarinet, vibes, and percussion. Clever chart! (2:45)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Oh Chanukah: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Sample Audio
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Additional Details
Series:
First Year Charts for Jazz Ensemble
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
90
SKU:
00-PR-0006787
More about this title
About the Creator: Rick Hirsch
Rick Hirsch has built a reputation for creating smart, playable arrangements that respect both the capabilities and intelligence of young musicians. His work across multiple jazz education series demonstrates a gift for selecting repertoire that balances accessibility with genuine musicianship, ensuring students encounter real jazz concepts without unnecessary complexity.
Why we love this
This chart proves that accessibility and personality aren't mutually exclusive. The Bo Diddley groove gives the traditional melody an infectious forward motion that students actually want to play, while the flexible solo assignments let you adapt to your ensemble's strengths without rewriting anything.
What to expect
Irresistible and celebratory, with a street-level swagger that comes from the Bo Diddley beat. The melody sits comfortably over that foundational groove, making the whole chart feel both modern and warmly familiar.
Who it's for
First-year jazz ensembles and young bands discovering groove-based playing for the first time. The limited trumpet range and optional doublings make it genuinely inclusive for mixed-ability sections without sacrificing the fun.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the Bo Diddley rhythm in the rhythm section first. Once that groove sits solid, the horns will find their pocket naturally.
- Rotate through the cued solo parts in rehearsal. Since each is written for a primary player with cues for others, you'll discover who connects with the melody and who thrives with the flexibility.
- Keep the articulation crisp but not stiff. This groove lives in the pocket, not in precision for its own sake.
- Let the tune breathe at 2:45. Resist the urge to rush; the Bo Diddley beat actually gains momentum from restraint.
How to use it
Reserve this for the winter concert as either a bright opening number or a joyful closer. It works especially well in mixed programming where you want to show your jazz band's stylistic range without demanding a lot of rehearsal time from other ensembles sharing that concert.
Skills your students will build
- Playing over a consistent 12-bar blues-derived groove
- Trading solo passages between written and cued parts
- Balancing rhythmic precision with swing feel
- Managing flexibility in instrumental doubling and ranges
- Responding to a driving rhythm section while maintaining ensemble cohesion