At Last: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Beyoncé
Words by Mack Gordon, music by Harry Warren
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0003985
$50.00
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Description
Beyoncé first breathed new life into this beloved Etta James jazz classic in the hit movie Cadillac Records. At the 2009 Inaugural Ball, Beyoncé was honored to sing At Last as Barack and Michelle Obama danced together for the first time as the President and First Lady.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, At Last: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Hot Pop Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
122
SKU:
00-PK-0003985
More about this title
About the Composer: Mack Gordon
Mack Gordon (1904-1959) was a prolific lyricist and composer whose work defined the Great American Songbook. Writing primarily for film and Broadway from the 1930s through 1950s, Gordon crafted melodies and lyrics that became standards, collaborating frequently with composer Harry Revel. His gift for accessible yet sophisticated songwriting made his work enduringly popular across generations of performers.
Why we love this
This arrangement transforms a jazz standard into an accessible Grade 2 concert band piece without sacrificing the song's warmth and sophistication. The cultural resonance of the piece (from Cadillac Records and the historic 2009 Inaugural Ball) gives students a meaningful connection to repertoire they likely already know. It's a repertoire bridge that takes what students hear in popular culture and brings it into the concert hall with genuine musicality.
What to expect
Warm, elegant, and intimate, this arrangement captures the song's signature tenderness without overcomplicating the orchestration. The jazz-inflected harmonies and gentle swing feel create an atmosphere of sophistication and ease that feels natural and unhurried.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 2 level seeking accessible yet emotionally mature repertoire with contemporary appeal. This works for school bands, community groups, or mixed-level ensembles looking to program a recognizable standard alongside more traditional fare.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melody across sections carefully; this piece relies on phrasing clarity rather than dynamic extremes, so work for cohesion in sustained passages.
- Allow the rhythm section (especially piano and bass) to establish the jazz feel from the first measure; lock their groove early in rehearsals so winds can layer on top confidently.
- Shape the melody with gentle rubato in the legato sections to capture the song's intimacy; avoid rigidly metronomic phrasing.
- Pay attention to articulation markings that distinguish jazz style from classical legato; inconsistency here will flatten the arrangement's character.
How to use it
Program this for spring concerts, ceremony occasions, or community events where a memorable, lyrical piece can make an emotional impact. It pairs beautifully with other standards or alongside contemporary pop arrangements in a mixed concert that celebrates music across genres.
Skills your students will build
- Jazz articulation and style (swung rhythms, legato phrasing in a jazz context)
- Rubato and flexible phrasing in contemporary contexts
- Ensemble balance in arrangements with clear melody and supporting parts
- Reading and responding to jazz-specific markings and notation
- Sustaining long, lyrical phrases with consistent tone quality