Wizard Wheezes (from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

López nails the infectious energy of Wizard Wheezes without overcomplicating the parts. The arrangement sits perfectly at Grade 2, giving your section players clear rhythmic figures and manageable ranges while keeping the harmonic sophistication and swing feel that makes this tune swing.

Playful and bouncy, with the kind of lighthearted energy that matches its source material. The arrangement has genuine swing and harmonic movement without demanding anything arcane from your players. It swings with joy rather than complexity.

Jazz ensemble directors seeking Grade 2 repertoire that resonates with students. This works especially well for groups that include musicians new to jazz phrasing and improvisation but ready to handle basic swing rhythms and ensemble coordination.

• Lock the swing eighth-note feel early in sectional rehearsals. Have the rhythm section establish the groove before layering horn parts.
• Balance the melody across sections rather than letting one trumpet dominate. This is a showcase for ensemble cohesion, not soloists.
• Keep dynamics in check during the tutti sections. The arrangement gains impact through articulation and rhythmic precision, not volume.
• Use the score to reinforce section independence. Make sure saxes and trumpets hear their own lines clearly before bringing everything together.

Perfect for a family concert or school assembly where non-musicians recognize the source material. The Grade 2 level makes it ideal for mid-year programming when your ensemble has solidified basic jazz fundamentals but hasn't yet tackled serious harmonic or rhythmic challenges.

• Swing eighth-note articulation and phrasing
• Reading lead sheets and jazz chord symbols
• Section ensemble balance in big band texture
• Rhythmic precision within a jazz groove
• Listening and responding to section leaders