Take on Me: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

John Berry's arrangement captures what made the original unforgettable while building an ensemble piece that keeps every section engaged. The trumpet feature gives your lead players a chance to shine on one of the most recognizable melodies of the 1980s, and the straightforward, energetic groove means your students can focus on locking in the feel rather than wrestling with complex voicings.

Propulsive, bright, and instantly engaging. The synth-driven original translates into a rock groove that feels both nostalgic and immediate, with the trumpets riding the top of a full band arrangement that gives weight and texture to a tune many students already know.

Jazz ensembles working at the Grade 1.5 level who want to program something students recognize and enjoy while maintaining musical substance. This works equally well for directors seeking a confidence builder for younger groups or a fun, contemporary addition to a concert without demanding advanced reading or technical skills.

• Keep the rock groove clean and tight; think locked-in pulse rather than swinging eighth notes. The chart lives in that energetic pocket where precision matters more than expressiveness.
• Balance the trumpet melody against the supporting sections. These players have the hook, so let them sing, but ensure the rhythm section creates enough propulsion underneath to match the original's forward momentum.
• Mark the dynamic contours clearly in rehearsal. A chart this accessible can drift into autopilot; shaping phrase endings and building intensity through the form keeps the energy alive.
• Encourage the rhythm section to reference the recorded version for groove specifics. Hearing how the drums and bass lock together will ground your ensemble's interpretation in the style.

Program it as a crowd-pleasing opener or closer on a concert mixing jazz standards with contemporary pop arrangements. The accessibility and energy make it ideal for community concerts, school assemblies, or any setting where you want your ensemble to connect with an audience familiar with the song.

• Reading and executing rock/pop grooves in a jazz ensemble context
• Balancing foreground melody against supporting harmonic and rhythmic layers
• Maintaining steady eighth-note feels without drift or swing
• Phrasing and dynamics control within an energetic ensemble texture