Don't Stop Believin': Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Paul Murtha's arrangement strips away nothing essential from the original; instead, it distributes the iconic keyboard riff and vocal melody across the band with clarity and purpose. At Grade 1.5, younger ensembles can access a song their audiences genuinely recognize and love, building engagement without sacrificing musicianship.

Energetic and anthemic. The piece captures the soaring optimism of the original without requiring virtuosic chops; players feel the momentum building from the first measures. There is genuine joy in playing something this well-known, and audiences respond with immediate recognition.

Concert bands in grades 4 through 8 who are ready to tackle recognizable popular music without overextending technically. Ensembles seeking high-engagement repertoire will find the Grade 1.5 level manageable for most students while keeping the whole group invested.

• Nail the keyboard ostinato in the opening. Assign it to clarinets or vibraphone depending on your instrumentation, and lock it in metronomically. Everything else in the arrangement will settle into place once this figure is rock-solid.
• Balance the lead line carefully during the verse and chorus. The melody should cut through without overshadowing the supporting harmonic layers, especially in the saxophones and horns.
• Treat the final chorus as a building moment. Gradual dynamic lift and layering of parts creates the triumphant finish this song demands, even at this accessible grade level.
• Let the rhythm section breathe. Avoid rushing; the groove depends on laid-back pocket playing from bass and drums rather than rhythmic tightness.

Perfect for a spring or winter concert focused on contemporary hits and pop standards, or as a standalone opener that warms up an audience before diving into classical works. The two-minute duration also makes it ideal for pep assemblies, school dances, or promotional performances where visibility and fun factor matter as much as musical substance.

• Reading and executing pop-style rhythmic patterns and syncopation
• Balancing melody and accompaniment in an ensemble setting
• Understanding song form and repeating sections in popular music
• Coordinate with rhythm section players to lock in groove-based ensemble playing