25 or 6 to 4: Concert Band Conductor Score

Michael Story's Grade 1 arrangement captures the infectious energy and horn-driven character of the original without overwhelming young musicians. Your band will connect immediately with a song they may already know, and the straightforward voicing ensures every section plays something meaningful while the piece still delivers that Chicago sound your audience will recognize.

Energetic and immediate, with that unmistakable Chicago horn punch right from the opening. The piece captures the groovy, upbeat character of the original while staying accessible; young players get to feel like they're part of something fun and modern, not academic.

Beginning band directors leading Grade 1 ensembles who want to program contemporary, recognizable music alongside traditional concert repertoire. This arrangement works for any band with basic instrumentation and appeals to students who need the motivation of playing a song they know and love.

• Balance the brass section so the horn lines sit forward but don't drown out the woodwind accompaniment; let the melody sing through even at Grade 1 writing.
• Establish a solid rock groove in the rhythm section from the first rehearsal; this song lives and dies by its pocket, and young drummers and bass players need clear expectations about time feel.
• Drill any syncopated rhythmic figures as a section before putting them in context; beginners often rush or hesitate through the syncopation that gives this piece its character.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock in tempo and style, especially during sectional rehearsals when you need players to hear how their part sits in the larger arrangement.

Feature this as a change-of-pace selection on a winter or spring concert, pairing it with a traditional march and a ballad for stylistic variety. Alternatively, program it early in the season when engagement and morale matter most; the familiarity and energy help reluctant musicians reconnect with why they joined band.

• Rock and jazz-rock style articulation and phrasing
• Syncopated rhythmic reading in a contemporary context
• Ensemble balance between melody and harmony in Grade 1 voicing
• Maintaining a steady groove and consistent time feel