Thriller: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
By Rod Temperton / As performed by Michael Jackson / Arranged by Roger Holmes
Grade: 4
Item: 35-PK00141168
$55.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Thriller - Full Score | $7.50 | |
| Thriller - Alto Sax 1 | $6.00 | |
| Thriller - Alto Sax 2 | $6.00 | |
| Thriller - Tenor Sax 1 | $6.00 | |
| Thriller - Tenor Sax 2 | $6.00 | |
| Thriller - Baritone Sax | $6.00 | |
| Thriller - Trumpet 1 | $6.00 | |
| Thriller - Trumpet 2 | $6.00 | |
| Thriller - Trumpet 3 | $6.00 | |
| Thriller - Trumpet 4 | $6.00 | |
| Thriller - Trombone 1 | $6.00 | |
| Thriller - Trombone 2 | $6.00 | |
| Thriller - Trombone 3 | $6.00 | |
| Thriller - Trombone 4 | $6.00 | |
| Thriller - Guitar | $6.00 | |
| Thriller - Piano | $6.00 | |
| Thriller - Bass | $6.00 | |
| Thriller - Drums | $6.00 | |
| Thriller - Aux Percussion | $6.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Recorded by Michael Jackson back in the 1980s, this highly infectious tune has one of pop music's funkiest bass lines plus an all-around great groove. (Grade 4)
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00141168
More about this title
About the Composer: Rod Temperton
Rod Temperton shaped the sound of 1980s pop as keyboardist and producer for the Commodores before becoming Michael Jackson's primary collaborator and architect of the Thriller album. His instinct for infectious grooves and sophisticated arrangements transformed Jackson's vocal ideas into global phenomena; Temperton wrote or co-wrote eight tracks on Thriller, including the title track, "Billie Jean," and "Rock with You." His fingerprints are all over pop history, yet his work as a composer and arranger remains undervalued in music education despite its pedagogical richness.
For educators, Temperton's legacy offers a masterclass in how to build compelling ensemble pieces around a strong rhythmic foundation. He understood that great pop and funk writing starts with the groove, then layers melody and harmony in ways that feel inevitable rather than ornamental. His arrangements reward focused listening and expose students to professional production values that shaped contemporary music.
Why we love this
Roger Holmes's arrangement captures what makes "Thriller" irresistible without overcomplicating the Grade 4 setup. The famous bass line remains the gravitational center, exactly as it should be, while the horn sections lock into that iconic groove with precision. This is repertoire that reminds students why they started playing music in the first place.
What to expect
The arrangement pulses with that unmistakable early-1980s funk energy, where every instrument serves the groove. Horns punctuate and color the rhythm rather than soar above it; the result feels propulsive, locked, and absolutely danceable even when played by a seated ensemble.
Who it's for
This works for jazz ensembles at the intermediate level who want to engage audiences with genuine pop grooves. Directors seeking material that bridges jazz pedagogy with contemporary music students actually care about will find this especially valuable.
How to get the most out of it
- Get the rhythm section locked first. The bass and drums must sit in the pocket from day one; every other section will follow their lead.
- Listen to the original recording as an ensemble before rehearsal. Players need to internalize the groove's feel, not just read the rhythmic notation.
- Balance the brass parts so no single section dominates the horn texture. The power of this arrangement lives in the blend, not individual voices cutting through.
- Keep the tempo steady and confident. "Thriller" thrives on forward momentum; tentative tempos drain the funk entirely.
How to use it
Pair this with other contemporary pop or funk arrangements to build a concert section that connects with audiences beyond the school community. It also works beautifully as a closer: audiences leave energized and reminded that jazz ensembles can swing through the entire canon of popular music, not just standards.
Skills your students will build
- Groove-based rhythmic precision and pocket playing
- Reading syncopated figures in jazz context
- Ensemble balance within horn sections
- Interpreting a recorded reference for stylistic accuracy
- Trading sections and maintaining ensemble cohesion during hits and breaks