Combo Blasters for Pep Band: Conductor Book & CD

Wasson's arrangements solve a genuine pep band challenge: delivering recognizable, high-energy material that works whether you have four players or forty. The included CD eliminates the rhythm section headache entirely, letting you focus on arranging your field or court performance rather than scrambling for volunteers to sit out.

A nonstop party. From the swagger of Louie, Louie to the driving pulse of Tequila and the infectious groove of Celebration, these arrangements capture the raw fun of classic rock and soul. They're designed to get crowds moving and lift the energy in any gym or stadium.

Pep band directors managing fluctuating roster sizes and needing dependable, crowd-pleasing material that requires minimal pit support. This collection works equally well for full bands at football games and smaller court ensembles at basketball halftime shows.

• Use the accompaniment CD to lock in your tempo early. Let students hear the groove at rehearsal before attempting to match it live; a quick playback in sectionals builds confidence faster than counting alone.
• Front-load your rehearsal time on the rock and R&B selections (Soul Man, Gimme Some Lovin', Celebration). These carry the most infectious energy and typically receive the biggest crowd response.
• Assign the chart instrumentation flexibly based on what shows up on game day. The four-player minimum means you can perform confidently even if your usual trumpet section is down to two.
• Emphasize articulation style over technical perfection on the classic rock tracks. Tight eighth-note articulation and crisp tonguing matter far more than speed, and they're easier to teach quickly.

Build your entire pep band season around this book. Mix the patriotic opener (The Star-Spangled Banner) with a rotation of dance and rock hits for consistent crowd engagement across football and basketball seasons. The variety means you can refresh your setlist between games without restocking.

• Ensemble precision and time management when playing with recorded accompaniment
• Flexible instrumentation reading (adapting written parts to available players)
• Rock and R&B stylistic interpretation (groove, articulation, and swing feel)
• Quick-turnaround chart learning for game-day readiness