Animal (arr. Matt Conaway): Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts

Matt Conaway's arrangement captures the propulsive energy of the original without demanding virtuosic chops from your ensemble. The orchestration creates real textural variety across your sections, so every student feels the piece evolves beneath their fingers rather than just repeating the same figure for three minutes.

Propulsive and exhilarating. The piece maintains relentless forward momentum while layers of texture and strategic dynamics create moments of genuine musical sophistication. It feels like controlled excitement from the first downbeat.

Grades 3 through 4 bands seeking a contemporary pop arrangement with genuine pedagogical value and student appeal. Directors programming fall or spring shows who want a piece that satisfies both the ensemble and the audience.

• Keep the eighth-note groove locked between your battery and front ensemble; this tune lives or dies on rhythmic precision, so drill the backbeat unison before adding melodic layers.
• Balance the brass stabs against your sustains. They should punch through without drowning out the harmonic foundation underneath.
• Lean into dynamic contrasts. The chart gives you plenty of peaks and valleys; make sure your students understand which moments need to sit back and which demand full commitment.

Slot this into a stadium show or fall competition where you need a high-energy closer that the crowd recognizes immediately. It pairs well alongside other contemporary pop-rock selections and serves as an excellent bridge between traditional marching repertoire and student favorites.

• Locking syncopated rhythms across the ensemble
• Executing precise dynamic contrasts within phrases
• Balancing multiple rhythmic layers simultaneously
• Sustaining groove awareness while playing counterrhythms