What a Wonderful World (arr. Rick Stitzel): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Rick Stitzel's arrangement respects the song's melodic warmth while giving each section a moment to shine. The Grade 1.5 scoring means even younger ensembles can tackle a legitimate jazz standard without oversimplification, and the flexible instrumentation lets you work with what you have rather than what you wish you had.

Optimistic and reflective at once. This arrangement preserves the song's signature warmth while swinging comfortably, creating that rare quality where the piece feels both familiar and fresh in a jazz context.

Jazz ensembles at the middle school level and up will find this accessible and rewarding. It's equally valuable for younger high school groups taking their first steps into jazz repertoire or as a crowd-pleasing opener for any concert where approachability matters.

• Balance the melody so the lyrical quality comes through; this isn't a hard-swinging piece, so resist the urge to drive too aggressively through the changes.
• Feature the individual section solos fully. Rather than having them fade into the background during their parts, treat these moments as proper solo spotlights.
• Establish a relaxed swing feel from the downbeat. The rhythm section should sit in on the groove before the melody enters.
• Pay attention to dynamics across the full form. The arrangement likely builds and recedes; honor those peaks and valleys rather than playing at a single dynamic level.

Open a concert with this to establish an inviting tone before moving into more challenging material. Its accessibility also makes it an excellent choice for recruitment events or school assemblies where you want to showcase your ensemble's musicality without overwhelming the audience.

• Jazz vocabulary and swing phrasing
• Section feature playing and awareness
• Reading lead sheets and chord changes
• Balancing ensemble blend with featured solos
• Playing a 12-bar blues and standards form