Any Way You Want It: Concert Band Conductor Score

This arrangement captures everything that makes the original so infectious, yet Michael Story has stripped it down to essentials that Grade 1 ensembles can actually execute successfully. The flexible instrumentation means you're not scrambling to cover missing parts, and the recorded accompaniment tracks give students a professional touchstone to lock into during rehearsal.

Propulsive and anthemic. The arrangement channels Journey's signature propulsive energy without the complexity, built on a steady rock foundation that encourages students to feel the pulse in their bodies rather than overthinking it. It's the kind of piece that reminds young musicians why they wanted to play in band.

Beginning band directors seeking repertoire that energizes students while remaining technically accessible. This Grade 1 piece works equally well for first-year players, younger ensembles, or mixed-ability groups where you need something engaging that doesn't require advanced technical skills.

• Balance the melodic line against the rhythm section; this song lives in its groove, so anchor the percussion accompaniment track firmly in place before adding winds.
• Keep articulations light and crisp on the rhythmic figures; Grade 1 players often over-tongue, which muddies the forward momentum.
• The click track version works best during early rehearsals to establish tempo consistency; switch to the full accompaniment once students gain confidence.
• Mark breath points clearly in the score so players don't gasp mid-phrase and disrupt the line.

Program this early in the concert year when you're building confidence and cohesion; the recorded accompaniment turns what could be a nervy solo piece into a collaborative experience. It also works as a non-traditional closer to a concert, offering audiences something they actually recognize and enjoy.

• Playing with a recorded accompaniment while maintaining steady tempo
• Balancing independent melodic lines against a rhythmic groove
• Reading rhythmic figures using quarter notes, eighth notes, and rests in simple meter
• Executing clean articulation on repeated rhythmic patterns
• Responding to percussion and bass lines for rhythmic precision