"Villages" is one of our School Jazz Ensemble series charts purposely
suited for performance by directors and groups looking for interesting
original jazz music in the Grade 3 range of difficulty.
THE ARRANGEMENT
A strong melody written in the treble clef staff makes "Villages" an
excellent program consideration for concerts. It's a memorable tune.
Rhythm section parts contain written chord voicings in the piano,
composed lines for the bass player and chord symbols.
Drum set and percussion parts include annotated band cues.
The arrangement utilizes several combination groups of instruments
within the band to state thematic materials and counter-lines.
Flute replaces one of the alto saxophone parts to add its timber to
the ensemble sound and also supplements the upper ranges of the full
ensemble voicings as well.
Brass ranges are not extreme. Trumpets remain within the staff.
The lower trumpet parts reinforce trombones in some places.
A solo for Flugelhorn covers the second voice in the trumpet section.
PROGRAMMING CONSIDERATIONS
"Villages" is an excellent choice for any performance. The extended
flugelhorn solo (improvised with chord progression annotated, or
suggested written music on the part) allows consideration for a jazz
festival and ensemble contest programming situations as well.
"Villages" was first performed for an audience in December of 2017 by
Dr. Jared Prost and his Leavenworth High School Jazz Band class and
premiered as part of their program at the Command and General Staff
College on Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Special thanks to Dr. Prost for providing valuable input that helped
me establish the parameters for arranging and writing for school
ensembles regarding rhythmic figures, suggested ranges, etc.
And, it was cool to be able to bring the work in progress to school
and have the students play segments. We were also able to use the
creation of this work as part of the jazz education of the students by
including almost everyone in the decision-making process regarding
some aspects of the chart itself. I think the students had a good time
learning and will enjoy playing this composition for years to come.
Cb
Christopher L. Burnett, BMI
BurnettPublising.com