We Be Jammin': Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$48.00 USD

We Be Jammin': Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: We Be Jammin': Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-47272
Price: 48.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Steve Hodges

Grade: 1.5 (Easy)

Item: 00-47272

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Here is an opportunity for the young band to experience elements of reggae music. Percussion and bass sections lay down a strong groove while woodwinds and brass add characteristic off-beat accompaniment patterns and a laid-back melody. A great teaching tool to introduce this style of music.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, We Be Jammin': Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Alfred Debut Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 118

UPC: 038081547008

SKU: 00-47272

More about this title

About the Composer: Steve Hodges

Steve Hodges holds degrees from Western Oregon University (Bachelor of Science) and Central Washington University (Master of Music Education). He spent four decades in public school music education, directing concert bands, choirs, and chamber ensembles across multiple grade levels before retiring from the classroom.

Since 1986, Hodges has composed and published over 120 concert band works through Alfred Music, along with choral arrangements through Staff Music and Shawnee Press. His compositions have appeared at festivals and state conventions internationally, and several of his pieces were commissioned for honor bands and school programs across Virginia, Iowa, Washington, Oregon, North Carolina, and British Columbia. His work has also been licensed by major television networks including TBS and ESPN. Hodges holds membership in ASCAP and currently lives in The Dalles, Oregon, where he remains active in community music.

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Why we love this

Hodges captures the essence of reggae without requiring a specialized rhythm section or exotic percussion setup, making it genuinely accessible for Grade 1.5 ensembles. The writing isolates the style's core elements—a driving bass groove, syncopated off-beat accompaniment, and a relaxed melodic approach—so young players can hear exactly what defines the sound rather than feeling overwhelmed by stylistic complexity.

What to expect

The piece radiates warmth and relaxed confidence. A syncopated accompaniment pattern creates rhythmic buoyancy while the melody floats above it with an easygoing charm, all held steady by a solid groove in the bass and percussion.

Who it's for

Young concert bands encountering reggae style for the first time will find straightforward, engaging writing that doesn't demand advanced technical facility. Conductors seeking to broaden students' genre experience while maintaining appropriate difficulty levels will appreciate how Hodges scaffolds the style without oversimplifying it.

How to get the most out of it

Establish the groove with percussion and low brass before bringing in the woodwinds. The bass line and drum pattern form the foundation; lock these elements first, then layer the off-beat figures on top.
Resist the urge to rush. The laid-back character of reggae thrives on steady time and a relaxed feel, not forward momentum. Conduct with a lighter hand to encourage players to sit comfortably behind the beat.
Highlight the contrast between the rhythm section's steady pulse and the woodwind figures that dance around it. Balance the accompaniment patterns so they sit as background texture rather than competing with the melody.

How to use it

Program this as a lighter concert piece that appeals to young audiences and gives student musicians a taste of world music styles. It pairs well with traditional concert fare, offering a refreshing change of pace that demonstrates how accessible different musical traditions can be to developing ensembles.