The Opener II: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
By Carl Strommen
Grade: 3 (Medium)
Item: 00-PK-0006012
$52.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| The Opener II: Score | $10.00 | |
| The Opener II: E-flat Alto Saxophone | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: 2nd E-flat Alto Saxophone | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: B-flat Tenor Saxophone | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: 2nd B-flat Tenor Saxophone | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: E-flat Baritone Saxophone | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: 1st B-flat Trumpet | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: 2nd B-flat Trumpet | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: 3rd B-flat Trumpet | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: 4th B-flat Trumpet | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: 1st Trombone | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: 2nd Trombone | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: 3rd Trombone | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: 4th Trombone | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: Guitar Chords | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: Guitar | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: Piano Accompaniment | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: String Bass | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: Drums | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: Flute | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: 1st F Horn | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: Tuba | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: Baritone T.C. | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: 2nd Baritone T.C. | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: 3rd Baritone T.C. | $3.00 | |
| The Opener II: Vibraphone | $3.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Open any concert with this swingin' chart that will make your audience sit up! At a tempo of 208 BPM or faster, written solo space for tenor and trumpet 2, lead trumpet range to written B above the staff, and an optional vibes part, The Opener II by Carl Strommen is complete. (3:10) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Opener II: 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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Sample Audio
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Additional Details
Series:
Jazz Band Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
102
SKU:
00-PK-0006012
More about this title
About the Composer: Carl Strommen
Carl Strommen has built a reputation as one of the most widely performed composer/arrangers across band, orchestra, jazz ensemble, and choral literature. His works appear regularly on concert stages, in film, and on television, while his consistent output has earned him multiple ASCAP Standard Writers Awards. Strommen holds a degree from City College of New York and has served as an adjunct professor of orchestration and composition at Long Island University's C.W. Post Campus, maintaining active connections to the academic world while sustaining a prolific freelance career.
Why we love this
Strommen knows exactly what an opening needs: immediate energy, clear ensemble writing that sits well, and enough solo space to showcase your players without demanding virtuosity beyond Grade 3. At 208 BPM or faster, this chart cuts through audience chatter and sets the tone for your entire concert in just over three minutes.
What to expect
An immediate rush of swing energy that grabs the room from the first downbeat. The writing swings hard without pretension, balancing accessible ensemble figures with moments of real musicianship in the solo sections.
Who it's for
Jazz ensemble directors looking for a chart that respects Grade 3 technical demands while delivering genuine concert impact. Ensembles with solid section work and at least one capable tenor soloist and strong lead trumpet will showcase this piece effectively.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the tempo at 208 BPM or push it slightly higher to maximize the swinging feel; the chart breathes at this speed but can feel sluggish if taken below that mark.
- Balance the tenor and trumpet 2 solos within the ensemble texture so they read as featured voices rather than fighting the background; mark dynamics carefully in the supporting sections.
- Feature your lead trumpet clearly on the high passages; the written B above the staff sits brilliantly if the player has the range and the section gives them clean support.
- Consider the optional vibes part as an addition only if you have a capable mallets player; the chart functions completely without it, but the extra texture adds sophistication if performed well.
How to use it
Perfect as your first selection on any concert; the three-minute duration and high-energy character create an ideal setup for longer or more complex works that follow. Ideal for fall and spring concerts where you need to establish momentum early and engage an audience that may not yet be settled.
Skills your students will build
- Playing at tempo in fast swing feel (208 BPM and above)
- Balancing solo voices within an ensemble texture
- Responding to quick harmonic changes in jazz voicings
- Managing the unique demands of the lead trumpet range (written B above staff)
- Maintaining section cohesion during repeated rhythmic figures