Edition: Jazz Big Band Arrangement with Vocal

Description: Swing - Medium

Moonlight Serenade is famously known as the signature song of the Glenn Miller Orchestra. This version is not the classic original, but a reworking that was performed on a television broadcast in 1961. Typically thought of as an instrumental, this updated version courtesy of Joe Cribari is a vocal feature instead.

The tune is played through a single time, with the vocalist carrying the melody throughout. The accompaniment in the horns is similar to, but not identical to, the instrumental original, and the rhythm section is gently supportive. For the television broadcast, there were a handful of cuts and alterations made from the original score and parts, likely for timing and balance purposes. We have included the arrangement as Cribari originally wrote it, with a few notes if you wish to mimic the broadcast version instead.

These changes are:
1) The introduction was cut, starting right on the melody instead at measure 3. The first four measures are performed solely by the vocalist and keyboardist (on celeste) in a rubato manner, with the rest of the band coming in at tempo at measure 7.

2) The original ending featured a brass fanfare that was likely considered too loud or dramatic for the broadcast, and was replaced by a more subtle final chord instead.

This publication was prepared from Joe Cribari's score and the set of parts used for the 1961 TV performance, this is not a transcription. Thank you to Glenn Miller Productions, Inc. for their support of our Glenn Miller series of arrangements.

 

Full Score
Vocal
3 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
4 Trumpets
4 Trombones
Guitar
Piano
Bass
Drum Set

Vocal Key: F
Trumpet 1: A5 (opt. D6)
Trombone 1: G4