Big Girls Don't Cry: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Michael Brown's arrangement captures the infectious energy of the original without sacrificing playability at the Grade 2 level. The orchestration maintains the pop song's character while giving every section meaningful material, making it genuinely fun to rehearse and perform rather than a simplified novelty piece.

Bright and propulsive with a modern pop groove that keeps audiences engaged. The arrangement sparkles with contemporary energy while remaining warm and tuneful, striking that rare balance between commercial appeal and genuine musicality.

Concert bands looking to program recognizable, energetic contemporary music that students actually want to perform. It works especially well for younger or intermediate ensembles that need accessible repertoire without sacrificing musical integrity.

• Keep the rhythm section locked in with the groove. This song lives in its pocket, so steady, confident pulse from percussion and low brass anchors everything else.
• Balance the melodic lines so the tune stays clear even when multiple voices are active. Young players tend to overplay when their part isn't the lead.
• Pay attention to the recorded accompaniment's dynamic shape. Use it as a reference for where the arrangement breathes and builds energy.
• Articulation matters here. Crisp tonguing on the eighth note figures keeps the contemporary feel crisp and prevents the arrangement from dragging.

Pair this with your concert's lighter or more eclectic set to give audiences a well-arranged pop moment alongside your traditional concert band repertoire. At 2:30, it works as an excellent palette cleanser between larger works or as a finale that leaves the audience energized.

• Maintaining steady groove and contemporary rhythmic feels
• Balance and blend in a pop-influenced harmonic context
• Clear articulation in syncopated melodic passages
• Listening and responding to recorded accompaniment while reading individual parts