Son of the Chicken: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Berg knows exactly what works for younger jazz ensembles: a chorale statement that builds confidence before the funk kicks in, written solos that give inexperienced improvisers a blueprint, and a lead trumpet line that sits comfortably in the staff rather than demand stratospheric range. The arrangement respects the level while delivering genuine jazz groove and the kind of fun that gets students excited about playing jazz.

Groovy and playful with a pocket-driven energy that never lets up. The chorale introduction sets a sophisticated tone before the band locks into a funky, hip shuffle that lives up to its title: everyone gets it, everyone wants to play it, and everyone has fun doing it.

Young jazz ensembles in grades 2-3 with developing ensemble cohesion and limited improvisation experience. The written solos and accessible voicings make it equally welcoming for jazz programs starting out as for experienced groups looking to add contemporary, accessible material to their folder.

• Let the chorale intro breathe; resist the urge to rush through it. This section establishes the band's sound and gives listeners a moment before the full ensemble jumps into the funk.
• Support your trumpet 1 and tenor 1 soloists during rehearsal by playing the written lines straight through several times before opening them up to improvisation. This builds their confidence and establishes the solo shape clearly.
• Keep the groove pocket tight in the rhythm section. The funky character lives in the precision of the comping, not in rushing the eighth notes.

Program this early in a concert to establish energy and audience engagement, or use it as a festival opener where its contemporary groove and clear structure make a strong impression. At 3 minutes 30 seconds, it pairs well alongside more traditional big band charts and gives younger students ownership of the jazz repertoire through a piece that feels genuinely current.

• Reading and executing swing eighth-note articulation with consistent precision
• Navigating written solo sections and building confidence toward improvisation
• Maintaining groove pocket in a syncopated, funk-influenced ensemble setting
• Balancing section voices in modern jazz voicings designed for accessibility
• Responding to chorale texture and transition into energetic full-ensemble passages