"On the Ending Earth" is an original composition written in the classic Big Band ballad style. This tasty tune is inspired in part by Mingus ballads and provokes thoughts of Big Band nostalgia. It features the solo Flugelhorn, with some juicy sax section parts and gentle brass playing. Use this chart to educate your students on the classic big band sound.

Other features:

• Improvising intermediate to advanced
• Lots of independent parts

"All Your Base" is a medium rock tune written by versatile composer and guitarist Erik Patterson. It drives with a fun sense of urgency and features some rhythm section shots and some independent saxophone work. The name derives from internet gaming. See if your students can figure it out.

“Gentlemen” is a slinky laid back rock tune written by versatile composer and guitarist Erik Patterson. It features all sections on an easy melody and has fun and simple chord changes to improvise on. It also has easy brass and rhythm section parts, and a written out guitar line.

Other Features:

• Easy trombone melody sections
• Fun guitar part

“La Cattura” is a Funky 70s rock tune by guitarist Erik Patterson. It’s inspiration comes from the genre of Spaghetti westerns. It has a catchy minor vibe and is felt in 2 throughout. It’s epic feel feature some strong sax section work as well as some great brass backgrounds.

Other Features:

• Fun guitar part
• Solos for alto or tenor sax
• Easy brass parts

“La Squadra Di Milano” is another great and groovy grade 1 rock tune thats more of a strut. It was inspired my Italian cop movies. It’s got some easy rhythms that are great for beginner bands but is still very musical and a lot of fun. It has melody sections in the saxes and as a full band and features a solo section written for alto sax. The attitude really comes though the music and will have your band wanting to play it week in and week out.

“Stone Cold Strut” is a high energy rock tune with a great jump feel to it. This one is sure to get your audience’s head bopping and features strong section playing throughout. The rhythmic figures are simple but effective and the solo section is written for Tenor Sax. Check out the great build at the end!

This exciting and fun chart by Erik Patterson sounds like movie chase music. It’s written in cut time to simplify the look some of the faster figures, and is rhythmically repetitive enough get your younger students sounding great quickly.

The melody of “Big Mood” is both haunting and modern sounding. The easy groove and simple passages should be easy for your group while challenging your strong sax section.