First Chorus (Grades 1-2)
Straight Ahead (Grades 3-4)
Salsafied! (Grades 3-4)
Spotlight (Grades 4-5)
Extensions (Grades 5-6)
Mike Vax
Marching Band
Combos
SPOTLIGHT (Grades 2-5)
This series of charts lets your talented soloists shine with a variety of ballads, straight eighth, and up tempo tunes in the Grade 4-5 range. Currently, we have charts for trumpet, alto sax, tenor sax, and drums, and we’ll be adding to the list over time to include all instruments over more grade levels.
Blue Serenade
Grade 3 Ballad Composer:Paul Baker Price:$45
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This ballad features the lead trumpet and harkens back to the big band era sounds of Glenn Miller and Harry James, along the lines of Miller’s “Serenade in Blue”. In addition to written melodic solos for lead trumpet, there’s an improvised solo for tenor sax. Winding through two key modulations, each distinct section is presented in its best register. Trumpet range is to written high D. Trombone range is to Gb.
Ebony Rain - Alto Sax
Grade 2 Ballad Composer:Skiles/Arr. Baker Price:$40
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A perfect “My First Solo Feature” chart, this rock ballad opens with lush ensemble harmonies before the soloist enters with the hauntingly beautiful melody. The ensemble soon wraps itself in warm supportive colors before launching the soloist into the short improvisational section. A written solo is provided, along with the chord changes. After a brief return to the melody, the chart moves on to the Coda section where there is space for a brief solo cadenza – a written one is provided – before the final resolution chord. Trumpet range is to a written G. Flugelhorns are preferred, but trumpets are fine, too.
Ebony Rain - Tenor Sax
Grade 2 Ballad Composer:Skiles/Arr. Baker Price:$40
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This is essentially the same chart as the Alto Sax Feature, however some of the parts have been rearranged slightly to accommodate the change in soloists. For this version, the melody, solo, and solo cadenza have been lowered an octave to better fit the range of the instrument.
Ebony Rain - Trombone
Grade 2 Ballad Composer:Skiles/Arr. Baker Price:$40
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This is essentially the same chart as the Alto Sax Feature, however some of the parts have been rearranged slightly to accommodate the change in soloists. For this version, the melody, solo, and solo cadenza have been lowered an octave to better fit the range of the instrument.
Ebony Rain - Trumpet
Grade 2 Ballad Composer:Skiles/Arr. Baker Price:$40
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This is essentially the same chart as the Alto Sax Feature, however some of the parts have been rearranged slightly to accommodate the change in soloists.
El Viento Caliente
Grade 4-5 Samba Composer:Paul Baker Price:$50
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Recently recorded by Mike Vax and the Stan Kenton Alumni Orchestra!
The hot wind – that’s what’s blowing across the stage with this chart. Featuring your trumpet soloist and/or lead player, this samba is available in two formats: Feature solo and improv solo on Trpt 5 OR Feature solo and improv solo on Trpt 5 with lead parts on Trpt 1 OR Separate “guest soloist” part with improv and lead parts. There is a configuration that will fit any ensemble. Trumpet range for the section lead part is written B. Trumpet range for solo part is written G on top of the staff with the option of going up an octave as is heard in the demo mp3.
Full Circle
Grade 4 Contemporary Composer:Paul Baker Price:$50
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This is a beautifully melodic and dramatic tenor sax feature at a medium straight eighth tempo. The ensemble intertwines itself around the soloist with contrapuntal backgrounds and extended harmonies while the soloist gets to stretch out on long chord changes giving him lots of room to shine without the pressure of having to catch a new change every other beat.
Goes To Eleven
Grade 5 Swing Composer:Paul Baker Price:$50
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The title says it all. This chart takes energy and intensity to the next level with a fast swing tempo, pedal point chord changes, and plenty of power brass section writing. Drums are featured throughout the chart, including a 32 bar solo section punctuated by the ensemble. Solos for alto sax and trumpet, too. Trumpet range to written high D.
The Chanteuse
Grade 4 Ballad Composer:Paul Baker Price:$50
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A beautiful Duke Ellington/Johnny Hodges styled alto sax feature starting as a sultry ballad introduced by a harmon trumpet solo. The alto then enters to sing its siren song before moving into an Ellingtonion “small band” soli from which the alto solo emerges. Modulating back to the original ballad tempo with a soaring ensemble climax, the alto leaves us with two brief cadenzas before the ensemble escorts us home. Trumpet range is to written high D.