The Kings of Swing: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Based on "We Three Kings"
By John Henry Hopkins, Jr. / arr. Michael Story
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0006549
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Description
Here's a snappy jazz waltz treatment of the popular Christmas carol "We Three Kings." Perfect holiday programming solution to bring the beat up a notch while introducing your developing band to swing style. Cool kings indeed! (2:00)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Kings of Swing: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
132
SKU:
00-PK-0006549
More about this title
About the Composer: John Henry Hoplins
John Henry Hopkins wrote "We Three Kings" in 1857, creating one of the most enduring melodies in the Christmas canon. His gift for memorable, singable lines has kept the carol alive for generations of musicians across every genre and ensemble type.
Why we love this
Michael Story's arrangement captures everything that makes swing delightful: syncopated rhythms, walking bass lines, and that irresistible triplet feel that students hear immediately in their ears. Grade 2 bands often struggle to find repertoire that's both musically honest and genuinely fun to perform, and this piece nails both. The two-minute length means it lands with impact without wearing out young players.
What to expect
Cool, playful, and unmistakably festive. The swing waltz meter creates a smooth, sophisticated groove beneath the familiar melody, turning a reverent carol into something effervescent and contemporary. It's the sound of tradition getting a stylish makeover.
Who it's for
Grade 2 concert bands seeking holiday programming that reaches beyond the typical march-or-carol formula. This works equally well for December concerts and mid-winter morale boosters, and it introduces developing students to swing vocabulary without requiring extensive jazz experience from either the director or the students.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the swing eighth-note feel from the very first entrance; a light touch on the beat helps the kids hear the pocket rather than forcing it.
- Balance the solo voices (especially trumpet and saxophone lines) so they sit comfortably above the harmonic foundation without dominating.
- Keep the tempo steady and resist the urge to drag; the waltz meter will naturally feel slightly spacious, but the swing quality depends on consistent forward motion.
- Let the bass section lock the groove early in rehearsals; once they're solid, the rest of the band will find the swing feel much more naturally.
How to use it
Open a holiday concert with this piece to reset the energy and show audiences that Christmas music can swing. It pairs beautifully with more traditional sacred selections later in the program, creating nice contrast without feeling scattered. At just two minutes, it's also an ideal opener for a shorter winter assembly program.
Skills your students will build
- Swing eighth-note articulation and phrasing
- Reading and performing in 3/4 meter with syncopated rhythmic figures
- Voice independence within ensemble sections (walking bass, harmonic accompaniment, melodic lines)
- Rhythmic precision in a groove-based context