Freedom (arr. Paul Murtha): Flex Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

Paul Murtha's arrangement captures the infectious energy of Batiste's original while making it accessible for Grade 3 ensembles. The rhythmic vitality and clear voicing give students a contemporary piece that feels current and genuinely fun to perform, not like a watered-down pop cover.

The piece radiates warmth and forward motion. You get that New Orleans character in the rhythm and harmony, but it's bright and celebratory rather than reflective, making it an uplifting choice for any concert setting.

Flex ensemble directors seeking repertoire that excites students because it's rooted in music they actually listen to. This works equally well for concert bands, wind ensembles, or mixed instrumentation groups looking for a modern piece with genuine groove and optimism.

• Keep the groove locked in the rhythm section. The New Orleans bounce only lands when your bass and drums sit solid together in the pocket.
• Let the melodic lines breathe through the energy. Resist rushing the phrasing even when the rhythmic texture feels full.
• Balance the horn section voices carefully. The arrangement uses brass and reeds to color the harmony, so each voice needs clarity without overpowering the ensemble.
• Use dynamics to shape the arc of the piece. The scoring has natural peaks and valleys; honor them rather than playing at one volume throughout.

This pairs beautifully in a program that mixes classical and contemporary work. Consider opening a concert with it to set an energetic, joyful tone, or use it as a closer to leave the audience feeling lifted.

• Maintaining groove and pocket in syncopated rhythms
• Balancing individual voices in densely voiced harmonic textures
• Interpreting contemporary articulation and phrasing in a band context
• Listening to and responding to rhythm section fundamentals