MG JUNIOR BIG BAND SERIES

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones (Tenor 2/Bari Opt.), 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones (Trom 3 Opt.), Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Easy - Trumpet Range Concert D5
Style - Medium Swing
Solos - Trombone/Tenor Sax, Trumpet/Alto Sax

This tune is a trombone section feature. The melody is mainly led by the trombones (supported by tenor sax). The solo section features optional solos or solis for trombones/lower saxes, and trumpets/alto saxes. If your band is a little light on trombones, the chart can be more a tenor sax feature.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones (Tenor 2/Bari Opt.), 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones (Trom 3 Opt.), Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Very Easy - Trumpet Range Concert Bb4
Style - Medium Swing
Solos - Trombone, Trumpet, Sax

This nice and simple tune is perfect for beginner big bands. Following a simplified rhythm changes progression, the melody is shared between each section, giving everyone a chance to shine. There is an optional solo or soli for each instrument group.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones, 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Medium - Trumpet Range Concert Ab5
Style - Medium Swing
Solos - Trombone, Trumpet

This is a contafact of Sammy Nestico’s quintessential swinger ‘Hay Burner’. It is at a slightly easier level than Nestico’s original, but there are still a few challenging sections. The ‘A’ sections of the tune feature a simple bluesy melody, and the bridge contains some chromatic lines. There are solos in the trombone 1 and trumpet 2 parts, separated by an 24-bar band break. After solos there is a short 8-bar shout section before a return to the main theme.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones (Tenor 2/Bari Opt.), 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones (Trom 3 Opt.), Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Very Easy - Trumpet Range Concert Bb4
Style - Ballad (Straight 8’s)
Solos - N/A

This ballad was written with the intention of getting a beginner band to make some warm, beautiful sounds. With the notes and rhythms being straight-forward, this is an excellent tune to introduce students to the concept of intonation, and the importance of tuning.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones, 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Easy - Trumpet Range Concert D5
Style - Medium Swing
Solos - Piano, Alto Sax, Trumpet

This tune follows a AABA minor blues with a bridge form. It starts off with a crunchy and understated piano solo which leads into the main theme played by the lead alto, tenor, and trumpet. The second ‘A’ introduces a countermelody from the remaining saxes and accompanying backings from the trombones. The bridge (led by the saxes) really digs in groove-wise. After the alto sax and trumpet solos there is a 16-bar extended shout section over the harmony of the bridge before a final ‘A’ section with a three time tag.

This tune was written as the set piece for Division 4 of the 2021 SA Schools Jazz Festival.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones, 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Easy - Trumpet Range Concert Eb5
Style - Medium Swing
Solos - Tenor Sax, Trumpet, Trombone, Piano

This cruisy swingin’ blues features the lead trumpet and trombone with the melody at the top. There are solos for tenor sax, trumpet, and trombone which are supported by contrasting background figures and interludes. After solos there is a 12-bar band shout section before a piano solo leading back into the melody.

This tune was written as the set piece for the Novice Stage Band category at the 2020 ABODA SA School Band and Orchestra Festival.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones (Tenor 2/Bari Opt.), 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones (Trom 3 Opt.), Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Very Easy - Trumpet Range Concert D5
Style - Latin
Solos - Alto Sax/Trumpet/Trombone/Guitar, Drums

This simple tune is written as an introduction into Latin jazz. The piano plays a simplified montuno pattern throughout which allows players to get comfortable with the rhythm and groove, without being overwhelmed by notes. The melody features a unison line from the brass and sax sections, which is then harmonised. This is followed by a call-and response between the high and low instruments before a return to the melody where each section takes on their own role. The solo section allows for improvisation using the D minor pentatonic scale.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones (Tenor 2/Bari Opt.), 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones (Trom 3 Opt.), Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Easy - Trumpet Range Concert D5
Style - Funk
Solos - Alto Sax, Trumpet

This funky riff-based blues features a grungy melody that sounds best when played with lots of attitude. In keeping with the title of the tune, there are lots of crunchy hits to introduce your band to some edgier-sounding harmony. There are solos for alto sax and trumpet, as well as a short drum break. This leads into a powerful band shout where brass and rhythm section lay down the harmony whilst saxophones play a challenging soli figure.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones (Tenor 2/Bari Opt.), 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones (Trom 3 Opt.), Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Very Easy - Trumpet Range Concert Bb4
Style - Funk
Solos - Sax, Trumpet

This funky tune features a simple bluesy melody played in unison by the trumpets and trombones, and a contrasting bridge led by the saxophones. There is an optional solo or soli for saxophone and trumpet.

Composed by Maksym Grynchuk

Instrumentation - 5 Saxophones (Bari Opt.), 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones (Trom 3 Opt.), Rhythm Section
Difficulty - Easy - Trumpet Range Concert F5
Style - Funk (Boogaloo)
Solos - Alto Sax, Trumpet

This tune is a funky boogaloo blues with a driving melody. It features repetitive riffs and rhythms to get your band reading semi-quavers (16th notes). The solo section is written for alto sax and trumpet, after which there is a long build section that vamps on one rhythm and introduces some crunchier chords.