All Star: Concert Band Conductor Score

Michael Story's arrangement strips away nothing essential from what makes this song irresistible, yet keeps the scoring lean enough that Grade 2.5 bands actually sound polished. The flexibility built into the percussion part, traditional or drumset, gives you real options for your program's instrumentation and student interest levels.

Upbeat, infectious, and instantly familiar. The arrangement preserves the original's driving rhythm and hook while translating it into concert band colors. You'll hear bright energy, a strong backbeat, and the kind of tune that students will hum for days after rehearsal.

This conductor score is designed for concert band directors programming Grade 2.5 repertoire who want contemporary material with genuine appeal. If your students have heard "All Star" in the Shrek films or on the radio, they already care about playing it well. It works equally well for directors balancing classical and pop/rock literature or seeking an accessible entry point into stylistically aware ensemble playing.

• Lock the rhythm section (bass drum, snare, mallets on percussion 1) to nail the groove; the pocket is what sells this arrangement to listeners.
• Balance the melodic layers carefully so the memorable hook stays on top without drowning out supporting figures that give the chart texture.
• If using the drumset option for percussion 1, decide early whether that player reads drum notation or concert pitch, and rehearse that transition separately from the full band.
• Keep the tempo steady and energetic; even slight tempo wavering will flatten the pop energy that makes this piece work.

Program this at a casual concert or pops show alongside more traditional repertoire to reach families who don't usually attend band performances. Its Grade 2.5 level makes it accessible enough to work early in the year while still sounding polished, so consider it for fall concerts when ensemble cohesion is still developing. The movie connection and pop credibility also make it ideal for thematic concerts celebrating film music or contemporary songwriting.

• Rhythmic precision in groove-based music (locked snare and bass drum patterns)
• Balancing melody and accompaniment across multiple instrumental sections
• Playing stylistically aware pop/rock arrangements with proper articulation and phrasing
• Introduction to drumset notation and performance (if using the percussion 1 drumset option)
• Maintaining steady tempo and energy in contemporary pop contexts