David Bowie: The Hits: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Three distinct moods unfold across one package: the sleek, propulsive funk of 'Let's Dance'; the dreamy, almost orchestral spaciousness of 'Space Oddity'; and the infectious, syncopated swagger of 'Under Pressure.' The medley structure keeps energy high while showing your band's range.

Band directors looking to program accessible, engaging contemporary music that connects with modern audiences without sacrificing musicianship. This Grade 3 arrangement works for festival performances, community concerts, or pops programs where you want music that resonates beyond the rehearsal room.

• Balance the groove in 'Let's Dance' by locking the rhythmic foundation (low reeds and low brass) with the percussion section; this track lives and dies on pocket.
• Shape the arc of 'Space Oddity' with subtle dynamic control in the ensemble; the ethereal quality depends on restraint rather than volume.
• Bring out the Queen collaboration's syncopation in 'Under Pressure' by isolating the bass line and kick drum in rehearsal before adding harmonic layers.

Open a concert with this to pull in listeners who might not expect to hear Bowie in a concert band setting, or place it as a second-half opener to shift the energy after more traditional literature. The six-minute-forty-five-second duration makes it perfect for festival performance competitions or community pops concerts where contemporary repertoire is valued.

• Balancing funk and syncopated rhythms across full ensemble
• Maintaining consistent groove while playing rhythmically complex passages
• Transitioning between contrasting harmonic and textural environments
• Listening to and supporting featured melodic lines within dense arrangements