Escape (from Guardians of the Galaxy): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

This arrangement by Michael Story captures the ease and joy of the original without sacrificing musicality. The flexibility to feature either a solo alto sax or the full section gives you genuine choices about how to present it, and at Grade 1, it actually sounds finished and polished rather than skeletal. Young bands play this and immediately feel the satisfaction of sounding like musicians.

Breezy and upbeat, with an island warmth that makes players and listeners smile. The melody is instantly recognizable yet fresh in band arrangement, carried along by steady rhythms that settle into your ear immediately.

Beginning concert bands hungry for repertoire that sounds genuinely fun and professional. This works equally well for Grade 1 players in their first year and established ensembles looking for a crowd-pleasing opener or closer that doesn't require technical wizardry.

• Balance the melody line carefully if you feature the alto sax solo; the accompaniment should support rather than bury the line.
• Keep the tempo steady and resist the urge to drag; this tune's charm relies on forward momentum and a relaxed groove.
• Blend the low reed and brass sections to create a warm foundation; this isn't a piece that thrives on sharp sectional edges.
• If featuring the full alto section instead of a solo, shape the line like a vocalist would; let it breathe at phrase endings rather than cutting off mechanically.

Open a pops concert with this piece to set a light, accessible tone before moving into more demanding fare. It also works beautifully as a palate-cleanser between heavier selections or as a closer to leave the audience in good spirits.

• Balancing melodic and accompaniment roles within ensemble texture
• Maintaining steady tempo and groove in pop idiom
• Phrase shaping in popular song style
• Blending reed and brass sections for warm tonal color