The Things That Need to Heal: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Fernández writes with genuine restraint here, letting emotional weight emerge through careful orchestration rather than complexity. The fully notated piano solo gives students a genuine model to study and eventually interpret, while the flexible solo options mean your lead trumpet player and your developing saxophonist can both find meaningful moments. The rhythm section parts transform what could be a generic bossa nova into a convincing Latin groove that actually teaches the style.

There's a quiet dignity to this piece. The bossa nova rhythm unfolds with the kind of unhurried grace that makes space for reflection, while the horn writing frames the piano solo with warmth and care. The overall effect is contemplative rather than showy, inviting listeners into a moment of collective vulnerability.

Jazz ensembles at the Grade 3 level who are ready for genuine Latin jazz writing but benefit from clear pedagogical scaffolding. Directors seeking accessible material that still demands musicality and stylistic understanding from their students.

• Study the recorded accompaniment as a reference for how the rhythm section locks together, then work backward to understand why each voice sits where it does in the arrangement.
• Have your pianist practice the solo passage separate from the ensemble first. The interaction between piano and horns requires precision, and a confident soloist elevates the whole ensemble sound.
• Shape the horn voicings with attention to the space between them. Richly scored doesn't mean dense; Fernández leaves air in these chords, and respecting that makes the arrangement breathe.
• Let your bass and drums establish the bossa nova pocket before bringing in the full ensemble. Five minutes of rhythm section work upfront saves rehearsal time later.

This works beautifully as a centerpiece for a concert exploring healing, resilience, or social themes. It also serves as a natural stepping stone in a curriculum that moves students from basic swing and funk into authentic Latin jazz vocabulary. The piece has enough substance to stand alone yet enough accessibility to not overshadow lighter material in a mixed program.

• Bossa nova rhythmic vocabulary and clave awareness
• Reading and performing fully notated jazz piano solos
• Voicing balance in richly scored horn sections
• Stylistic differentiation between novice and intermediate solo approaches
• Ensemble lock and precision with Latin rhythm sections