Viva Tirado Sheet Music Preview

Viva Tirado: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

As performed by Gerald Wilson / Arranged by John Berry

Grade: 3

Item: 35-PK00407925

Digital Download
$45.00

Parts Added to Cart!

Description
From the acclaimed 1962 album "Moment of Truth" by the Gerald Wilson Big Band, "Viva Tirado" was the impressive lead off tune. This arrangement in a medium Latin style features the soaring melody of the saxes paired with the energetic drive of the rhythm section and punches from the brass. Solo space is also provided for alto sax and trumpet.

Viva Tirado: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
SKU: 35-PK00407925

More about this title

About the Artist: Gerald Wilson

Gerald Wilson stands as one of jazz's most vital big band arrangers and composers, a figure whose career spanned from the 1940s through the 2000s. His work with his own ensembles earned widespread recognition, particularly the 1962 album "Moment of Truth," which showcased his ability to blend structured orchestration with the improvisational freedom that defines jazz.

Why we love this

John Berry's arrangement captures the infectious energy of Wilson's original without overwhelming Grade 3 players. The writing balances accessibility with sophistication, giving your ensemble a genuine taste of big band repertoire that sounds impressive and feels rewarding to play.

What to expect

Bright, propulsive, and undeniably cool. The tune radiates the optimism of early 1960s big band jazz while the Latin rhythm section gives it a contemporary edge that keeps players engaged. It swings with purpose.

Who it's for

Jazz ensemble directors working with Grade 3 players who want to program accessible big band music with real style and substance. Students get exposure to Latin jazz vocabulary while developing confidence in a medium that sits perfectly between pure swing and contemporary fusion.

How to get the most out of it

  • Keep the rhythm section locked and driving throughout. The Latin feel hinges on the pocket between bass and drums, so establish that foundation before layering in the horns.
  • Shape the sax melody with long lines rather than phrasing it in smaller chunks. Even at Grade 3, students should hear how the line breathes across phrases to maintain the tune's soaring quality.
  • Balance the brass punches carefully so they punctuate rather than overpower the lead melody. These hits should accent the groove, not dominate it.
  • Give the solo sections room to breathe. Whether your alto sax and trumpet soloists are reading changes or improvising, let them own their space without rushing back to the head.

How to use it

Pair this with other mid-century big band charts to build a coherent jazz history concert, or use it as an opener that establishes energy and sets the tone for your entire program. The Grade 3 accessibility means you can also program it earlier in the season as a rhythm section foundation builder before tackling more complex material.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading and playing in medium Latin swing feel (clave-based rhythmic vocabulary)
  • Balancing sectional melody lines while supporting a driving rhythm section
  • Executing punchy brass articulation with precision and restraint
  • Accompanying and supporting alto sax and trumpet soloists in a jazz context
  • Understanding big band voicing and sectional independence within an ensemble texture

You May Also Like