Feel It Still: Marching Band Conductor Score

Michael Story has captured everything that makes the original irresistible: that syncopated, propulsive groove that gets crowds moving instantly. For a Grade 2 band, this is smart programming, accessible enough to execute cleanly, but with enough rhythmic interest and contemporary style to genuinely excite your students and audiences.

Infectious, propulsive, and immediately recognizable. The arrangement maintains the original's syncopated swagger, that slightly off-kilter groove that makes you want to move, while translating it into manageable voicings and rhythms for developing musicians. It's contemporary without being trendy, and fun without being frivolous.

Grade 2 bands ready to tackle contemporary repertoire that resonates with current audiences and students alike. Directors seeking fall programming that bridges the gap between crowd-pleasing pop and solid musical fundamentals will find a reliable choice here.

• Lock the syncopated kick pattern early in rehearsals. This is the heartbeat of the arrangement, and when your battery nails it, the whole band sits tighter.
• Resist the urge to slow the tempo during the verses. The drive of the original song lives in the relentless, steady pulse; let it breathe without dragging.
• Balance the top-end synth lines with the harmonic foundation. These ear-catching parts should pop, but not at the expense of hearing the chord changes underneath.
• Shape the dynamic arc across all eight pages. The piece has natural peaks and valleys; exaggerate them slightly to maintain energy and listener engagement.

This works perfectly as a standalone set opener or encore that connects with families and students who know the song from streaming and radio. Consider pairing it with other modern pop arrangements to create a thematic set, or use it as a confidence builder early in the season when technique is still developing.

• Executing syncopated rhythmic figures across multiple voice parts
• Maintaining steady pulse and groove in contemporary styles
• Balancing foreground melodies against harmonic support
• Responding to and interpreting dynamic and articulation contrasts
• Playing with the rhythmic independence required in pop and rock idioms