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

Matt Conaway and Pam Nave have captured the essential groove and energy of the original while crafting an arrangement that sits perfectly at Grade 3. The piece delivers genuine fun without requiring virtuosic execution, making it an excellent choice when you need something that energizes both players and spectators without derailing your rehearsal schedule.

Infectious energy from the downbeat. The arrangement bounces with undeniable groove, built on a foundation of funk and pop that invites movement and celebration. It's the kind of piece that gets people on their feet.

Marching bands seeking contemporary repertoire that connects with their students and audiences. Groups at Grade 3 level who want to program something current without sacrificing musical integrity or rehearsal time.

• Lock the rhythmic feel early in your rehearsals. The pocket matters more here than precision timing; students should feel the pulse in their bodies, not just count it.
• Balance the melodic lines against the harmonic backdrop. Identify which section carries the hook at any given moment and shape dynamics accordingly.
• Emphasize the articulation marked in the parts. Clean tonguing on syncopated figures keeps the arrangement crisp and prevents it from sounding muddy.
• Consider the recorded accompaniment as your rhythmic anchor during rehearsals, but challenge the ensemble to internalize the groove independently for outdoor performances.

This works beautifully as a Saturday night closer or a halftime feature when you want to shift the mood to pure entertainment. It also slots naturally into a fall show featuring pop and contemporary music, pairing well with other accessible hits that draw younger audience members into the stadium.

• Syncopated rhythmic reading and execution
• Funk and pop articulation styles
• Maintaining groove while playing individual parts
• Balancing melodic and rhythmic ensemble roles
• Intonation in contemporary harmonic contexts