Don't Stop Believin': 2nd Percussion
Don't Stop Believin': 2nd Percussion Sheet Music Preview

Don't Stop Believin': 2nd Percussion

For a Minimum of Five Steel Drums, Plus Drumset, and Optional Bass Guitar

Words and music by Jonathan Cain, Neal Schon, and Steve Perry [Journey] / arr. Aaron Ziegler

Item: 00-PC-0016599_PC2
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Description
This song, by Journey, became an instant classic after its initial release in 1981, and it was recently introduced to a younger generation by the cast of Glee with a 2009 remake. This high-energy arrangement will make a great closer to any concert and is sure to have audiences young and old singing along.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Don't Stop Believin': 2nd Percussion comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred's Pop Steel Drum Ensemble Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 36
SKU: 00-PC-0016599_PC2
Instrumentation: Steel Drum Ensemble

More about this title

About the Composer: Jonathan Cain

Jonathan Cain co-founded Journey in 1980 and served as the band's keyboardist and primary songwriter throughout their most commercially successful period. He wrote or co-wrote many of the band's defining hits, including "Don't Stop Believin'," which became one of the most recognizable rock songs in popular music. His melodic sensibility and accessible songwriting style have made Journey's catalog enduringly popular across generations.

Why we love this

Aaron Ziegler's arrangement captures the unmistakable energy and infectious hook of "Don't Stop Believin'" while translating it brilliantly for steel drum ensemble. The piece delivers genuine rock attitude without sacrificing the warmth and harmonic richness that steel drums bring, making it equally satisfying to perform and impossibly hard for audiences to resist singing along.

What to expect

High-octane and celebratory, with that signature Journey sparkle translated into shimmering steel drum sonority. The arrangement pulses with radio-friendly energy while the band's original harmonic sophistication keeps the experience musically engaging rather than superficial.

Who it's for

Steel drum ensembles at intermediate to advanced levels looking for concert closers with genuine crowd appeal. Directors seeking accessible rock repertoire that challenges students musically while delivering immediate gratification to performers and audiences alike.

How to get the most out of it

  • Establish the groove pocket early in rehearsal by locking the bass steel drum and rhythm section together; this foundation lets the melody voices sit comfortably and sing the main hook.
  • Balance the lead melody with supporting harmonic voices so listeners can follow the familiar tune while hearing the full textural colors of the ensemble.
  • Push the energy through the final chorus without rushing; let the natural momentum of the piece carry you to the climax rather than accelerating the tempo.
  • Shape the iconic opening hook with crisp articulation so the syncopation reads clearly and the melody cuts through the ensemble sound.

How to use it

Reserve this for your concert finale where an energized, singalong moment will send audiences out on a high. The piece works equally well as a spring or end-of-year concert closer, or as a standout feature in a pops or variety program that mixes genre and instrumentation.

Skills your students will build

  • Rock groove phrasing and syncopation
  • Ensemble cohesion in a driving rhythmic context
  • Mallets technique on steel drums with varying dynamic control
  • Balancing melody and harmony within a full percussion ensemble texture

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