Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement with Vocal Choir (or Vocal Soloist)

Description: Swing - Medium Difficult

Publisher: Jazz Lines Publications

It's not just covers of holiday classics that the Glenn Miller Orchestra excels at. This Dale Thompson original composition, arranged by John La Barbera, swings from start to finish, and serves as an energetic closer for your band's holiday concert that will have your audiences humming it all the way home.

The catchy melody is ultimately played through three and a half times. The initial statement is executed fairly simply, beginning with plunger muted brass before shifting to saxes on the bridge, then back to the (now-open) brass for the final A section. The second chorus is mostly made up of brief improvised solos - tenor sax first, followed by alto sax and trumpet.

A short send-off sets up a key change at measure 61, where a vocal quintet becomes the star attraction. Although the backgrounds gradually build in volume and intensity behind the vocalists, be sure that your ensemble holds back a bit in order to not overwhelm them. A short half-chorus ensemble shout and one final vocal statement lead into another key change for the grand finale - a hard-swinging full band reference to We Wish You a Merry Christmas, complete with In the Mood-style trumpet fanfare at the end.

Musical note: although the vocal section is written for soprano, alto, and three tenors, this arrangement can work just as well for a solo vocalist if you don't have access to a full group. This publication was prepared from John La Barbera's pencil score and the set of parts used during the 1991 recording session - this is not a transcription.

Full Score
Vocal Choir (SATTT)
2 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
Baritone Saxophone
4 Trumpets
4 Trombones
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drum Set

Trumpet 1: D6
Trombone 1: D5