Everybody (Backstreet's Back) (arr. Tom Wallace): Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts

Tom Wallace's arrangement captures everything that makes this song infectious without oversimplifying it for young players. The foundation of a propulsive bass line and driving beat gives students concrete rhythmic material to lock into, while the melodic writing stays true to the original's ear candy appeal. Your students will recognize it immediately and want to nail it.

Propulsive and confident. The heavy bass line and rhythmic drive create an immediate sense of forward momentum, while the melodies sit high enough to cut through and stay memorable. There's an infectious energy here that translates across a stadium or football field.

Marching bands at the high school level and competitive circuits looking to add a contemporary crowd pleaser to their library without sacrificing musicality. This works equally well for bands seeking an accessible opener, a crowd engagement piece, or a fun closer that students genuinely enjoy performing.

• Establish the groove in sectionals before full ensemble rehearsal. The bass line anchors everything; lock that in first and the rest of the chart becomes much easier to coordinate.
• Pay close attention to the dynamic shadings that support the melodic hooks. Pop music relies on texture changes more than classical music does, so those written dynamics are doing real work.
• Keep the percussion section sharp and in the pocket. The snare articulation and bass drum hits are what make this feel contemporary rather than like a transcription of a pop song.

Use this as a strategic opener or closer during season when you need maximum audience engagement without sacrificing ensemble growth. It pairs well alongside more traditional fight songs or contemporary pop arrangements, giving you tonal variety while keeping the energy consistent.

• Locking tight eighth-note rhythms in a pop idiom
• Balancing melodic lines that sit in similar registers
• Responding to dynamic shaping that serves groove rather than phrase architecture
• Playing with consistent articulation across a syncopated bass line