Domino: Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts

Jerry Burns delivers an arrangement that captures the infectious groove of this mega-hit without sacrificing musicality or balance across the band. At Grade 1.5, it opens "Domino" to programs where the original would be unreachable, yet the arrangement swings hard enough that audiences recognize it instantly. Your students get to perform a song that moves people.

Infectious and propulsive. The arrangement captures that unstoppable forward momentum of the original recording, with sharp rhythmic hits and a melody that lodges itself instantly in the listener's ear. It feels celebratory without being showy.

Marching bands at the Grade 1-2 level who want accessible pop repertoire with real groove. This works equally well for programs building confidence with contemporary music or for bands seeking crowd-pleasing material that doesn't require advanced technique.

• Lock the eighth-note pulse from the start. This tune lives in the pocket, so section leaders should feel the beat as a constant heartbeat rather than counting measures.
• Keep the melody bright and forward in the woodwinds without letting it overshadow the rhythm section. The groove depends on clean articulation throughout.
• Balance the low brass and percussion carefully. They're the foundation of the funk feel, so make sure they lock together before rehearsing with the full ensemble.
• Maintain consistent tone quality across repeated phrases. Repetition is what makes this arrangement work, so small variations in sound will be noticed by the audience.

Program this during the second half of a marching show where you need energy and audience engagement. It pairs well with either classic pop standards or contemporary hits, and the 1:30 running time makes it ideal for a short feature or a warm-up crowd-pleaser before a more demanding selection.

• Maintaining steady groove and pocket awareness in pop/rock styles
• Balancing melody and rhythm section in ensemble contexts
• Articulation clarity in repetitive, syncopated passages
• Reading accessible contemporary arrangements
• Responding to strong rhythmic cues from percussion