The Sun Will Shine Today: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Williams writes jazz that swings hard while remaining genuinely playable at the advanced high school and college level. The solo feature structure lets you spotlight a strong player while keeping the ensemble engaged throughout, and the bright harmonic language and crisp orchestration make this a crowd-pleaser at festivals and concerts.

Sunlit and propulsive. The piece builds energy through bright voicings and a driving swing tempo, with the soloist sailing over warm, supportive ensemble textures. There's an optimistic, forward-moving quality that matches the title's promise.

Advanced high school jazz ensembles and college-level groups looking for a feature vehicle that showcases a strong soloist while maintaining musical credibility. This works equally well for festival performance or a jazz concert finale.

• Lock the rhythm section into the swing feel at 180 BPM before rehearsing the ensemble sections; a solid, relaxed pulse from bass and drums will anchor the entire piece.
• Give your soloist room to breathe and phrase naturally rather than strictly to the beat. The accompaniment parts are written to accommodate some flexibility.
• Balance the horn section carefully so the melody stays clear. These parts support the soloist but should never overshadow the featured line.
• Work comping figures in the rhythm section during rehearsal; clean, articulate chords from the keyboard and guitar will define the swing feel.

Close out a jazz concert or festival set with this uplifting closer, or use it as a centerpiece for a concert that features your ensemble's strongest soloist. The 2:20 length fits neatly into any program without requiring adjustments.

• Swing phrasing and articulation at a brisk tempo
• Reading jazz chord changes and improvisation over a blues-based harmonic progression
• Ensemble balance and support for a featured soloist
• Rhythmic precision and coordination in small section groups (horns, rhythm section)
• Interpretation of jazz notation and stylistic interpretation marks