Swing Low, Sweet Chariot: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

$52.00 USD

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-50949
Price: 52.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Wallace Willis / arr. Rick Hirsch

Grade: 2.5

Item: 00-50949

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version

$52.00

Shipped

One moment…

A very clever treatment of this well-known traditional spiritual, the opening statement is a slow chorale moving into an easy shuffle played around 138 BPM. The melody bounces between sections then into a driving shuffle that swings. Solos are provided for trombone 1 and alto 1, lead trumpet range is to written G. This chart is excellent! (4:45)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

Open in the Player

Jump straight in and assign it today.

Start Your Free Trial

Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.

Series: Young Jazz Ensemble

Publisher: Alfred Music

ISBN10: 1-4706-6985-4

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-6985-0

UPC: 038081591742

SKU: 00-50949

More about this title

About the Composer: Wallace Willis

Wallace Willis (1898-1975) was an African American composer and musician who created some of the most enduring spirituals in the American choral canon. Born in Alabama, Willis drew from deep wells of folk tradition and sacred music to craft works that have become standards in both concert and educational settings. His compositions preserve the emotional and spiritual authenticity of the tradition while remaining accessible to performers of all levels.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Rick Hirsch's arrangement respects the spiritual's reverent roots while delivering genuine swing energy that engages young jazz ensembles. The trajectory from chorale to shuffle to driving soloist showcase creates natural momentum, and the solo opportunities for trombone and alto give section leaders meaningful moments. This is the kind of chart that makes students excited about jazz while honoring the source material.

What to expect

The arrangement opens with quiet reverence, honoring the hymn-like roots of the spiritual. As the shuffle enters, the music finds its footing and swings with genuine joy, buoyant without losing its soul. The solos feel conversational rather than showy, and the ensemble work supports rather than competes.

Who it's for

Young jazz ensembles working at the Grade 2-3 level who are ready for a meaningful blend of spiritual tradition and swing. Directors seeking a contest or festival piece that teaches authentic jazz vocabulary without overwhelming developing soloists will find this chart especially valuable.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the opening chorale with space and intention. Let the harmony breathe before the ensemble locks into the shuffle feel at 138 BPM.
Lock the rhythm section into a relaxed shuffle groove during the first A section. The groove needs to settle before the solos enter so those featured players feel secure.
Feature the trombone 1 and alto 1 solos with confidence. Give them space to breathe and time to find their voice; the ensemble provides pocket, not pressure.
Balance the trumpet section carefully as the lead part rises to written G. Ensure the lead voice sits above the ensemble texture without forcing the upper register.

How to use it

Program this as a centerpiece for a jazz ensemble concert celebrating American roots music, or use it as a contest selection that demonstrates both musicality and technical control. The 4:45 length and mid-tempo feel also make it an effective opener or closer that sets a positive tone for the ensemble.