Smoke Gets In Your Eyes: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Mossman's arrangement honors Kern's elegant melody while injecting fresh harmonic language and rhythmic sophistication that keeps this standard vital. The combination of Grade 5 accessibility with unexpected voicings and orchestration choices rewards careful listening from both players and audiences, making it an intelligent festival selection that sounds nothing like the stock arrangements.

The piece settles into a warm, contemplative swing groove while Mossman's harmonic and rhythmic flourishes keep it intellectually engaging. There's a sophisticated quality to it—neither heavy-handed nor overly mannered, just thoughtfully crafted throughout.

Jazz ensembles at the intermediate to advanced high school level and college programs seeking repertoire that challenges without overwhelming. This works equally well for festival submission, concert programming, or classroom repertoire study where students need exposure to arranging that transcends nostalgia.

• Establish the moderately slow swing tempo as your anchor; ensemble cohesion depends on the rhythm section locking in first before layering the melodic voices.
• Balance the full ensemble scoring moments against the more intimate passages by adjusting section dynamics rather than slowing tempo.
• Highlight the rhythmic and harmonic twists Mossman inserted by having soloists and small groups rehearse separately to own their particular phrasing before blending back into the whole.
• Treat the surprises as earned moments; they land only when the foundation sections are rock solid, so don't rush the more straightforward passages.

Pair this with other standard arrangements or original jazz works to demonstrate how the same song can be reimagined across different sensibilities. It's substantial enough for a festival main stage appearance or a jazz concert finale, and flexible enough to sit comfortably in a pops program that leans toward jazz.

• Swing feel and articulation in section playing
• Reading complex harmonic voicings and jazz chord symbols
• Listening for ensemble blend across multiple layer arrangements
• Interpreting rhythmic flexibility within a steady groove
• Understanding how arrangers adapt well-known melodies through harmonic substitution