Dance To The Music: Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Sylvester Stewart / As performed by Sly And The Family Stone / Arranged by John Wasson / Arranged by Will Rapp
Grade: 3-4
Item: 35-PK00259194
$55.00
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Description
Back in the late 1960s, Sly and the Family Stone were breaking new ground combining funk, rock and soul. Driven by catchy melodies, rhythmic grooves, plus blazing brass, they helped define an era. This funky hit is one of their best, and a must for marching bands.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00259194
More about this title
About the Composer: Sylvester Stewart
Sylvester Stewart, known professionally as Sly Stone, fundamentally changed popular music by fusing funk, soul, and rock into a sound that moved both the dance floor and the radio. As the bandleader, keyboardist, and primary songwriter of Sly and the Family Stone, he created some of the 1960s and 1970s' most influential recordings, proving that groove and musicianship could coexist at the highest level.
For music educators, Stewart's work offers a masterclass in rhythmic sophistication and ensemble cohesion. His arrangements prioritize tight syncopation, strong sectional interplay, and the kind of infectious energy that makes students want to practice their parts. Dance To The Music exemplifies why his music endures in the classroom: it demands precision while rewarding players with the satisfaction of making genuinely fun music.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures the essence of what made Sly and the Family Stone unmissable: infectious grooves and brass that cuts through everything else. The Grade 3-4 voicing hits the sweet spot where your section leaders stay engaged without overwhelming younger students, and the funky energy naturally motivates cleaner articulation and tighter rhythmic locks across the full ensemble.
What to expect
Propulsive and irresistible. The arrangement channels the original's swagger and momentum, with brass writing that commands attention while the rhythm section drives everything forward with unstoppable groove. Your students will feel the difference between playing notes and making people want to move.
Who it's for
Marching bands ready to program contemporary music with real historical weight. This works for groups that want to move audiences without sacrificing musicianship, and it's particularly rewarding for ensembles with sections strong enough to handle syncopated counterlines.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythm section first. Get your snare, bass drum, and front ensemble to feel the syncopated pulse as a single unit before layering in the brass lines.
- Emphasize the contrast between the opening groove and the more exposed brass moments. These shifts are where the arrangement breathes and the arrangement's structure becomes clear to the audience.
- Keep the whole sound grounded in the pocket rather than pushing tempo. Funk lives in restraint; let the groove sit.
How to use it
Pair this with your halftime show's rock or pop segment for immediate crowd engagement, or use it as a closer that leaves audiences energized. Its confident swagger also works well positioned between more formal classical selections, showcasing your band's versatility and contemporary relevance.
Skills your students will build
- Syncopated rhythmic patterns and funk articulation
- Sectional balance in a mixed texture arrangement
- Maintaining groove under pressure and at tempo
- Brass blend and cut in a rock-influenced context
- Reading modern popular music notation