25 or 6 to 4: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Michael Story's Grade 1 arrangement captures everything that made this track iconic—the driving rhythm, the irresistible hook, the swagger—without overwhelming young players. Your beginning band gets to own a song that sounds polished and professional from day one, which builds genuine confidence and keeps students excited about band.

Confident, propulsive, and undeniably cool. The arrangement channels the tight, horn-driven groove of the original while staying accessible, so your band sounds energetic and polished even on a first or second read. There's an infectious swagger here that reminds players why they wanted to play in the first place.

Beginning concert bands and middle school students who benefit from playing a song that feels relevant and fun rather than purely pedagogical. Directors looking to program familiar, high-energy material that builds student investment and demonstrates that band music extends far beyond classical tradition.

• Lock the eighth-note pulse in the rhythm section early and often during rehearsal. This groove is the foundation; once it's solid, everything else falls into place.
• Balance the horn lines so they sit clearly above the band without dominating the texture. Chicago's signature sound depends on this interplay between the sections.
• Maintain forward motion through the form. Even at Grade 1, younger players can shape phrases and avoid letting tempos drift, especially during repetitive sections.
• Encourage the lead trumpet and alto saxophone to own their solos with character and personality. This arrangement gives beginners a chance to feel like the stars.

This works beautifully as a closer on a concert where you want to end on an upbeat, contemporary note that audiences recognize immediately. Pair it with a mix of traditional band repertoire to show the full range of ensemble music, or use it early in the school year to grab student attention and build ensemble identity.

• Reading and executing syncopated rhythms in a rock context
• Maintaining steady tempo and groove within a fixed pulse
• Balancing sectional sound while playing supportive parts
• Interpreting stylistic articulation and dynamics in pop/rock arrangements