Choose Your Fighter: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Michael Story's arrangement strips away none of the infectious momentum of the original while making it genuinely playable for Grade 2.5 bands. The melody stays front and center, the rhythmic drive keeps players engaged, and the orchestration gives every section moments to shine without requiring virtuosic technique.

Bright, propulsive, and unapologetically fun. The piece captures that signature pop-rock swagger of the original, complete with catchy hooks and driving grooves that make students excited to come to rehearsal.

Concert bands at the intermediate level looking for contemporary repertoire with genuine mainstream appeal. Directors building programs that speak to student interests while maintaining musical substance will find this especially useful for mixed-ability bands.

• Lock the rhythmic foundation early. The groove depends on steady eighth-note subdivision, so drilling the hi-hat and kick drum patterns first ensures the rest of the band can sit securely on top.
• Keep the energy consistent from top to bottom. This isn't a piece that tolerates dynamic slumps; maintain crisp articulation and forward motion even in the quieter moments.
• Balance the vocal-style melody line against the rhythm section. The lead voice should sing clearly without overwhelming the textural backdrop that makes this arrangement work.

Pair this with other Pop Young Band selections to build a concert around contemporary music that resonates with audiences beyond traditional concert music patrons. It works equally well as a concert opener or a second-half energizer that resets the room after more introspective repertoire.

• Maintaining steady groove and subdivisions in pop/rock style
• Balancing rhythmic precision with musical phrasing in contemporary genres
• Executing clean articulation in syncopated passages
• Reading and performing idiomatic pop arrangement techniques