As Time Goes By: Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts

Porter captures the romantic sweep of this Hollywood standard while writing it in a way that lets your band sound polished and confident. The arrangement respects the source material enough that audiences recognize it instantly, but the contemporary orchestration and pacing create something that feels urgent and special rather than nostalgic.

The arrangement glides with the ease of a slow waltz through Paris, filled with the kind of wistful beauty that made the original unforgettable. Lush voicings and contemporary harmonic colors give it sophistication while maintaining the intimacy that made this song endure for nearly a century.

This arrangement works for marching bands confident in their musicianship and visual execution, typically Grade 4 programs with a season focused on refined programming. It's ideal for groups that want to close a show with something audiences will hum on the way home, without requiring advanced drill difficulty.

• Balance the melodic line across sections so the tune stays singable and clear; resist pushing volume in the high brass at the expense of intonation.
• Use the natural rubato of the source material to shape phrases, especially during exposed passages; avoid metronomic rigidity.
• Coordinate visual spacing with the conducting gesture to emphasize the song's lyrical contour, making the form obvious to the audience.
• Mark cues for section leaders so transitions land securely; a 2:05 piece can feel rushed if internal coordination slips.

Program this as a ballad closer that bridges classical sensibility with popular appeal; it works beautifully after higher-energy selections and leaves the audience with something memorable. The 2:05 duration fits cleanly into most show formats, and the song's universal recognition means audiences connect instantly with your band's interpretation.

• Sustaining long melodic phrases with consistent breath support and intonation
• Executing baroque-to-contemporary harmonic language with accurate tuning
• Coordinating rubato and phrase shape across multiple sections
• Maintaining clarity and balance in lush, five-part voicings
• Marching under tempo changes while preserving musical continuity