Don't Stop Believin': Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Neal Schon / By Steve Perry / By Jonathan Cain / As performed by Journey / Arranged by Paul Murtha
Grade: 3-4
Item: 35-PK00129365
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Description
This 1981 power ballad from the group Journey has enjoyed renewed popularity in TV and film as well as the current Broadway production "Rock of Ages." It was featured in the final episode of the HBO hit series "The Sopranos," and most recently in the highly anticipated TV Series "Glee." Guaranteed showstopper! (Grade 3-4)
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00129365
More about this title
About the Composer: Neal Schon
Neal Schon is the guitarist and keyboardist who co-founded Journey in 1973, establishing himself as one of rock music's most distinctive instrumental voices. His songwriting partnership with Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain produced some of the 1980s' most enduring anthems, melodies that have transcended their original era to become cultural touchstones across generations of listeners.
Why we love this
Students instantly recognize this tune, which means you skip the "convince them to care" phase and jump straight to engagement. Paul Murtha's arrangement respects the song's architectural integrity while building it smartly for marching band voices, and the grade 3-4 scoring prevents the simplification trap that can drain rock charts of their power.
What to expect
The arrangement captures the song's essential drama: intimate vulnerability that expands into something anthemic. Students feel like they're performing something that matters beyond the field or stage, riding the momentum of a melody they already know by heart.
Who it's for
Directors programming a halftime show that connects with general audiences, teaching ensembles about contemporary popular music arrangement, or building a concert that mixes styles without apology. This works equally well for spring concerts where you want recognizable material or for marching season when crowd response matters.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the sustained melodic line in the upper woodwinds against the rhythmic pulse underneath; this song lives in that conversation between soaring voice and driving accompaniment.
- Let the opening section breathe before the energy builds. Rushing the early phrases flattens the emotional setup that makes the chorus land harder.
- Mark the dynamic transitions in your parts clearly. The journey from intimate verse to full stadium sound requires precision from every section to avoid muddiness.
- Lock the snare and bass drum into a pocket rather than racing ahead. Rock music demands a relaxed tempo feel, not a metronomic one.
How to use it
Open a pops concert with this and watch the audience settle in immediately. It pairs naturally with other rock or film/TV selections and gives students the satisfaction of executing something their families actually want to hear. Consider pairing it with contrasting material to showcase range rather than stacking multiple recognizable songs in succession.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing sustained melody against rhythmic accompaniment
- Controlling dynamics across a multi-section build
- Executing rock phrasing and articulation appropriate to the style
- Reading and maintaining a consistent tempo feel in popular music contexts