Rock On Merry Gents: Score
Traditional / arr. Victor López
Grade: 1 (Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0002599
$7.00
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Description
Arranger Victor López transforms "God, Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" into a fun and easy to play holiday chart for your young players. With an easy rock groove, modest brass ranges, some simple counterpoint and a flexible solo section for one or all winds, this is ideal for the holiday concert. Your band will sound great, it's easy to rehearse and has optional parts for flutes, clarinets, horn, baritone horn and tuba. Try it, you'll like it. (3:49)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Rock On Merry Gents: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Jazz Beginnings Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
82
SKU:
00-PR-0002599
More about this title
About the Arranger: Victor Lopez
Victor López is an arranger and composer whose work with young ensembles spans multiple genres and levels. His arrangements for Jazz Beginnings Series and similar educational catalogs prioritize accessibility without sacrificing musicality, making contemporary sounds and jazz idioms available to developing players.
Why we love this
López strips away the complexity that often comes with jazz arrangements, leaving only the essentials that make students sound polished and energized. The flexible solo section means every player gets a moment to shine, whether your section takes a solo together or you spotlight individual voices. A Grade 1 chart that actually respects what young jazz ensembles can execute makes holiday programming feel fresh rather than tedious.
What to expect
A rock-inflected romp through a holiday standard that swings without pretension. The energy stays playful and accessible, with enough rhythmic groove to keep young players engaged and enough musical substance to satisfy a listening audience.
Who it's for
Young jazz ensembles at the Grade 1 level, whether in a dedicated jazz program or an enrichment setting within a band program. This is ideal for directors seeking repertoire that sounds polished for a holiday concert without demanding months of rehearsal time or advanced technique from developing musicians.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythm section (drums, bass, comping instruments) into the rock groove during early rehearsals before layering the melody and solos; a solid foundation makes everything else snap into place.
- Feature different soloists or sections across performances if you're playing multiple concerts; the flexible solo section was designed to showcase your band's voices.
- Keep articulation crisp and light in the counterpoint passages to preserve clarity when multiple lines move together.
- Use the optional parts strategically: full instrumentation creates a fuller sound, but the core arrangement works beautifully with just the essential voices if you need flexibility.
How to use it
Schedule this late in your fall rehearsal season or early in winter concerts when students are building comfort with jazz fundamentals but may not yet be ready for intermediate-level material. The modest brass ranges and straightforward rhythmic language make it perfect for a shorter preparation window without sacrificing entertainment value.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing rock/jazz groove patterns in the rhythm section
- Understanding jazz comping and sustained chord accompaniment
- Simple counterpoint and ensemble balance across multiple moving lines
- Improvisation and solo interpretation (with teacher guidance)
- Flexibility in doubling parts and adapting to available instrumentation