Scott Road Sprint – Full Score

Description

Scott Road Sprint is an up-tempo swing chart composed for the 2024 Maine All-State Honors Jazz Ensemble. Composer Craig Skeffington and arranger Terry White collaborated to create this dynamic piece, which combines Bebop lines with big band swing. This chart performs well at a variety of tempos, ensuring it sounds great even at a medium-up groove.

Program Notes

In the Spring of 2023, we had the good fortune of having Michele Fernández appear as a guest clinician at the Maine All State Festival. In anticipation of her return trip back to Maine to direct our All State Jazz Festival in January of 2024, she asked Terry White and myself to contribute a chart for her program.

Not knowing where to begin, we decided that I would write an original piece and Terry would do the arrangement. The title “Scott Road Sprint” was inspired by my golden retriever Sunny. On long walks, she’d get the zoomies and run full speed down Scott Road, sometimes taking me out at the knees as she flew by! Terry did a great job on this chart, I hope you enjoy it.

–Craig Skeffington

---

The form and harmony for “Scott Road Sprint” is loosely based on “rhythm” chord changes and an AABA form at a medium up tempo.

The opening melody is in the Alto Sax and Trumpet followed by the upper Saxes on the melody. The bridge (measure 25) is played by the unison brass. Take care to not let the brass get too heavy this early in the chart. The full ensemble leads into the send off with the Saxes leading into a Trumpet solo at measure 41. The Saxes need to begin this section very soft and build. The solo section is laid out so that the soloists only play on the A section of the form. Measure 57 is a full ensemble section on the bridge form that leads to measure 65 and a solo for the Alto Sax. The next full chorus follows a similar format with the band and soloists (Trombone & Tenor Sax) alternating through the form. Measure 105 begins interplay between the full ensemble and the Drummer. Measure 137 is a brief interlude that builds into the Sax section on the melody followed by the brass. Measure 165 the full ensemble takes the chart to its conclusion with a tag ending.

Bebop articulations are an important element of this chart. Take care to observe the dynamic contrasts as there can be a tendency for the ensemble to get a bit heavy throughout.

I think this is a fun chart to play and both Craig Skeffington and I are very thankful that Michele Fernández asked us to do this commission for the 2024 Maine All State Honors Jazz Ensemble.

Enjoy Scott Road Sprint!

–Terry White