The Little Drummer Boy: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

$52.00 USD

The Little Drummer Boy: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Name: The Little Drummer Boy: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-43683
Price: 52.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Words and music by Katherine Davis, Henry Onorati, and Harry Simeone / arr. Rob Holmes

Grade: 3 (Medium)

Item: 00-43683

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Check this this clever arrangement of the holiday gem "Little Drummer Boy." It's a drumset feature at around 172 BPM in the style of Neal Hefti's "Cute" with a written trumpet 2 solo. The lead trumpet range is up to written A above the staff. A nice sax soli and a unison interlude complete this package (3:42)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Little Drummer Boy: Jazz Ensemble 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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Series: Jazz Band Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 102

UPC: 038081496047

SKU: 00-43683

More about this title

About the Composer: Katherine Davis

Katherine Davis composed "The Little Drummer Boy" in 1941, and the carol has since become a holiday standard across multiple musical genres and arrangements. Her gift for memorable melody and emotional directness shaped a piece that translates beautifully from its original sacred context into jazz and popular settings.

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Why we love this

Rob Holmes captures the swagger of Neal Hefti's big band sound while keeping the arrangement playable at Grade 3. The drumset feature gives your percussion section a genuine solo moment, and the written trumpet 2 solo ensures every section gets something interesting to voice rather than padding out harmonies.

What to expect

Sophisticated and swinging, with the warmth of a classic holiday tune filtered through the cool sophistication of 1950s big band jazz. The drumset ownership of the groove combined with the bright trumpet writing creates a feel that's both joyful and urbane.

Who it's for

Jazz ensembles at the intermediate level looking for a holiday arrangement with real substance. Directors who want a feature that involves the whole band but gives spotlight moments to strong players across multiple sections will find this especially useful during the winter concert season.

How to get the most out of it

Lock the groove with your rhythm section early in rehearsals. At 172 BPM, the pocket needs to be tight, and the unison interlude demands crisp ensemble precision.
Balance the sax soli carefully. These lines sit in a range where they can easily overshadow the rest of the section if players push too hard; let the jazz phrasing breathe instead.
Give your lead trumpet player time to work the written A above the staff comfortably. This isn't a screaming high note, but it needs solid support from the lower brass to sit properly in the mix.
Let the drumset feature breathe. This is a moment to showcase the player's touch and time feel, not just technical display.

How to use it

Slot this into a winter concert as a mid-set energizer that lands between heavier or more traditional pieces. At just under four minutes, it works well as a standalone feature or as part of a holiday medley that showcases your ensemble's jazz credentials and technical range.