Description
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Don't Start Now: Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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About the Composer: Ian Kirkpatrick
Ian Kirkpatrick is a songwriter and producer who has shaped the sound of contemporary pop music across multiple genres. His work spans dance, pop, and R&B, with a gift for crafting hooks and arrangements that translate across live and recorded contexts.
Kirkpatrick's ability to build infectious grooves and layered instrumental textures makes his compositions particularly adaptable for ensemble performance. His collaborative approach with other songwriters and producers has resulted in songs that work equally well in the studio and on the field.
Why we love this
Brian Scott's arrangement captures everything that made the original a dancefloor staple while building it out for full marching band instrumentation. The 2:08 runtime keeps energy high without overstaying its welcome, and the layout works seamlessly for both traditional concert stands and visual drill. Directors looking for contemporary material that doesn't sacrifice musicality or ensemble challenge will find this arrangement strikes that balance.
What to expect
Propulsive and shimmering. The arrangement wraps Dua Lipa's infectious disco-dance original in brass sheen and rhythmic precision, creating something that feels both current and celebratory. It's the musical equivalent of a well-executed field formation: structured, energetic, and genuinely fun to play.
Who it's for
Marching bands at Grade 3 level who want contemporary repertoire with real substance and showcase appeal. This works for groups building a fall season program that lands well with both audiences and adjudicators, and it's ideal for bands with strong visual design programs looking for music that complements drill.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the hi-hat and kick drum together early in sectional rehearsals. The rhythm section drives the groove, and precision there locks everything else into place.
- Shape the brass hits cleanly rather than heavily. These moments punctuate the groove; they don't overpower it. Think accent, not blast.
- Balance the woodwind counterlines against the main melody. Scott's arrangement layers in supporting figures that add texture but shouldn't pull focus from the tune.
- Maintain consistent energy through the final section. The disco-dance character asks for steady lift without tempo drift or dynamics that undermine the groove.
How to use it
Program this in a spot where you need to shift mood and energy. It works as a first-half closer that leaves the audience energized, or as a second-half opener that resets tempo and character after a slower feature. The contemporary source material appeals to students and families alike, making it valuable for community building within the season.
Skills your students will build
- Precision ensemble rhythm playing in a modern pop idiom
- Balancing multiple melodic lines within a single section
- Maintaining consistent groove feel and tempo without excessive dynamic fluctuation
- Executing sharp, articulate attacks on brass hits and accents
- Reading and performing countermelodies that support rather than compete with primary themes