The Very Thought of You: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

Scott Ragsdale's arrangement captures everything that makes this standard endure: a warm, unhurried tempo that lets the lyric breathe, tasteful voicings that sit perfectly under a vocalist, and optional instrumental leads that give you programming flexibility. The trumpet line sings, the ensemble supports rather than overwhelms, and the vocal range sits comfortably for experienced singers without requiring a belter.

Lush and intimate. The tempo is deliberately slow, creating space for the lyric's emotional weight. The ensemble settles into warm, sophisticated harmonies that frame the vocal line like a photograph in a rich frame.

This arrangement works for experienced jazz ensembles with a confident vocalist and accomplished soloists. Directors seeking a standard that demonstrates tasteful orchestration and vocal-ensemble interaction will find this a teaching piece as much as a performance vehicle.

• Balance the vocalist's intimacy against the ensemble's fullness. At 74 BPM, there's space for dynamic storytelling; use it to shade the emotional arc across the form.
• Use the optional instrumental leads strategically. Feature a trumpet soloist on one chorus, then bring the vocalist back with a new arrangement of the melody to refresh the performance.
• Lock the rhythm section early in rehearsal so the vocalist can focus entirely on phrasing and interpretation rather than fighting for time.
• Give special attention to sectional blend in the ensemble voicings. This style of ballad lives or dies on cohesion and warmth, not volume.

Program this as a concert centerpiece or as the emotional anchor in a set of jazz standards. It works well paired with more uptempo material, offering contrast and showcasing the ensemble's ability to shift from drive to vulnerability. This is also an excellent vehicle for demonstrating how good arranging serves the singer rather than competes with them.

• Balancing solo voice against ensemble accompaniment
• Executing sustained ensemble voicings with blend and intonation
• Reading and executing jazz articulation and phrasing
• Interpreting optional melodic leads in B-flat, E-flat, and trombone parts
• Coordinating rhythm section entrances and harmonic movement at a slow tempo