We've Only Just Begun: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

John Berry's arrangement captures what made this song a standard without treating it as a museum piece. The Latin groove brings rhythmic vitality to a familiar melody, and the harmonic substitutions keep the harmony interesting for players who might otherwise coast through a piece they've heard a hundred times. It's a smart choice for groups wanting to program recognizable material that still demands musicianship.

Warm and forward-moving, this arrangement has the ease of a song you already know coupled with the subtle sophistication of fresh harmonic and rhythmic choices. The Latin feel gives the familiar melody a brightness and motion that makes it feel celebratory rather than nostalgic.

Jazz ensembles at the high school or early college level will find this accessible without sacrificing musicality. The Grade 3 difficulty makes it suitable for groups building their jazz fundamentals while wanting to program something with genuine appeal.

• Lock the Latin groove between drums and bass before rehearsing melody sections. Once that pocket sits solid, everything else clicks into place more quickly.
• Pay attention to the harmonic substitutions in the reharmonization. Players often expect the original changes and may need specific section coaching to hear and voice the new chords cleanly.
• Balance the brass with the saxophones in the ensemble passages so the arrangement's freshness comes through. These voicings work best when layered with sensitivity rather than volume.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to establish tempo and feel, especially the Latin rhythmic character. This recording provides a clear reference for the groove's swing and pocket.

This works beautifully as a spring or end-of-year concert piece, especially in programs celebrating pop standards or American songwriting. Pair it with other jazz standards to show how a single melody can be reharmonized and regrooved while remaining true to its core appeal.

• Comping and rhythmic independence in the rhythm section
• Hearing and playing reharmonized chord changes
• Jazz phrasing and articulation in a Latin groove
• Balance and blend in four-part ensemble voicings
• Listening to recorded accompaniments and internalizing feel