Secret Love: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Wolpe's arrangement puts the trombone section front and center with genuine solo space for all four players, not just the lead chair. The combination of ambitious range (lead bone to high B-flat, lead trumpet to written B) and accessible ensemble writing means your section gets to stretch without overwhelming less confident players.

Swinging and buoyant, with the warmth of a classic jazz standard. The trombone writing captures both the punch of section ensemble work and the soulful, lyrical quality that makes this tune memorable.

Directors with intermediate jazz ensembles who want to feature their trombone section with a proven, musically rewarding chart. This works best for groups with at least one confident lead trombonist and section members who can handle written solos and a real top end.

• Balance the solos carefully during the written-out trombone passages so each voice projects clearly without the section sounding scattered. This is where careful voicing practice in sectionals pays off.
• Lock the rhythm section early and stay there. The swing feel depends on solid time from drums and bass, which allows soloists to float confidently over the changes.
• Mark the ensemble hits precisely and commit to them together. Tight ensemble work frames the solo sections and defines the chart's swing character.
• Establish the articulation style for the section runs before rehearsal with the full ensemble. Agreement on tonguing and phrasing makes the parts sit together.

This fits naturally into a swing-focused concert or a program mixing jazz standards with original compositions. The three-minute-plus length and showcase nature make it an ideal closing number or anchor piece for a set highlighting your ensemble's sectional strengths.

• Solo phrasing and interpretation over jazz chord changes
• Reading and executing written-out improvisation
• Ensemble balance and blend in four-part trombone writing
• Swing articulation and tonguing consistency within a section
• Range extension and endurance (lead bone to high B-flat)