R U Chicken?: E-flat Alto Saxophone

Berg understands what makes a closer work: solid grooves, memorable moments for soloists, and enough energy to send your audience out smiling. The written solos for trumpet and tenor sax give students a launching point while staying accessible at Grade 3, and that title alone will get your audience's attention before the downbeat.

Funky, playful, and built for audiences to remember. The chart moves with purpose, the solos give individual voices room to shine, and the whole thing lands with the kind of swagger that feels earned, not forced.

Jazz ensembles at the intermediate level seeking a high-energy, character-driven closer that programs well and keeps rehearsals fun. Your ensemble needs solid ensemble playing and capable soloists, but the Grade 3 reading level keeps it within reach for younger or developing groups.

• Keep the funk pocket tight in the rhythm section; the groove is the engine that drives this chart, so lock the bass, drums, and piano into a unified feel before rehearsing the horns.
• Bring out the written trumpet solo with a slight forward energy, but let the tenor saxophone sit deeper into the pocket during its feature.
• Manage the lead trumpet range carefully at written B-flat; make sure your first trumpet is comfortable in that register and has time in rehearsal to lock the high passages without strain.
• Use the chart's structure to build momentum through the final chorus; slight dynamic growth and precision hitting the hits will maximize impact as your concert finale.

Perfect for closing a concert or festival set; the title and musical energy will send the crowd out on a high note without overextending your ensemble's upper range or reading demands. It works equally well as a spring concert finale or a jazz festival performance piece.

• Maintaining a consistent funk groove across ensemble sections
• Reading and performing written jazz solos with style and phrasing
• Managing upper register demands (lead trumpet to written B-flat) with control and tone quality
• Balancing ensemble blend while featuring individual soloists
• Responding to dynamic shaping and articulation in a jazz context