All Star: HybridNOW String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Michael Story's arrangement respects what makes this song irresistible while crafting genuinely playable string voicings at Grade 2.5. The optional rhythm section parts (piano, drumset, tambourine) give you flexibility to build the arrangement up or scale it down depending on who shows up to rehearsal, which matters when you're working with string players at this level. Students recognize the tune immediately, which cuts through the usual resistance to contemporary pop and gets them invested in executing the arrangement well.

Upbeat and buoyant, with the kind of unstoppable energy that comes from a pop hook designed to stick with you. The arrangement captures the song's fundamental optimism while giving string players satisfying material that feels both idiomatic and achievable at this level.

String orchestras at the intermediate level who want to program repertoire their students actually know and enjoy. This works equally well for school ensembles building confidence in contemporary arrangements and for community or youth orchestras seeking engagement with younger audiences.

• Keep the bounce steady and light in the strings; this arrangement thrives on rhythmic precision rather than weight, so emphasize articulation clarity over projection
• If you're using the optional percussion parts, establish the groove in the rhythm section first during sectional rehearsals so strings can lock into the pocket without having to carry the foundation
• Balance the melodic lines across first and second violins to maintain the song's forward momentum through section changes; resist the urge to let the firsts dominate

Pair this with a spring pops concert or end-of-year showcase where you can lean into contemporary hits alongside your classical offerings. It also makes an excellent opener for a concert aimed at families or younger students, establishing immediate connection before you move into more traditional repertoire.

• Rhythmic precision in driving pop grooves
• Articulation control across multiple dynamic levels
• Balancing melodic lines across multiple string voices
• Ensemble cohesion with optional rhythm section parts