You Are the One: Brass Quintet (optional Drum Set), Conductor Score & Parts

Warm and grounded. The Latin groove creates an inviting pocket that sits somewhere between a dance floor and a casual jam session. Energy flows steadily without demanding intensity, letting the melodic riff and solos become the natural focal points.

Intermediate brass quintets looking for accessible Latin repertoire with personality. It works equally well for festival programming, concert showcases, or rehearsals where you need to remind players why brass music is rewarding.

• Nail the groove pocket before worrying about precision. The Latin feel carries the whole arrangement, so lock the rhythm section's pulse first, then layer in the brass voicings.
• Let the soloists breathe. The trumpet and trombone features deserve space and the quintet's attention as accompaniment. Have the ensemble shade dynamics slightly under during these moments.
• Lean into the riff. Since the melodic hook repeats throughout, resist the urge to rush or over-articulate. A relaxed, confident delivery of that four-note phrase makes the entire piece land.

Pair it with bebop standards or contemporary jazz pieces to build a cohesive set that speaks to modern brass writing. The optional drums open doors for collaboration with your percussion section or student drummers working on jazz comping and time feel.

• Latin groove pocket and rhythmic stability
• Idiomatic brass voicing in jazz contexts
• Solo phrasing and accompaniment roles
• Dynamic balance between melody and supporting voices
• Reading condensed ensemble parts while maintaining awareness of the full texture