Freedom (arr. Paul Murtha): Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Jon Batiste / Arranged by Paul Murtha
Grade: 3-4
Item: 35-PK01108861
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Description
From the acclaimed album "We Are" by Jon Batiste (Grammy Award for album of the year), the New Orleans flavored hit song Freedom exudes a sense of joy and optimism rare in today's music. This is a great simmering groove for dance groups or just rockin' the stands.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01108861
More about this title
About the Artist: Jon Batiste
Jon Batiste is a New Orleans-rooted pianist, bandleader, and composer whose work spans classical training, jazz improvisation, and contemporary pop. He rose to international prominence as the bandleader for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and earned the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2022 for "We Are," a collection that showcases his ability to blend genres and celebrate cultural joy through music.
Why we love this
Paul Murtha's arrangement captures the infectious optimism of the original while sitting comfortably in the Grade 3-4 range, making it genuinely playable without sacrificing the groove that makes the song memorable. The New Orleans DNA of Batiste's composition translates beautifully to the marching field, and this piece gives your students a chance to execute a contemporary pop arrangement with real artistic substance rather than a watered-down novelty.
What to expect
A sunny, propulsive groove with the warmth of New Orleans tradition threaded through modern pop sensibility. The arrangement breathes with optimism; it's the kind of piece that makes the stands smile and your students feel like they're playing something that matters beyond the page.
Who it's for
Marching bands at the Grade 3-4 level looking for contemporary repertoire with substance. This works equally well for groups prioritizing parade season visibility and those building a concert-style marching show, since the piece sits at a manageable technical level while delivering audience appeal.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the snare to the hi-hat feel in the rhythm section; the pocket depends on that conversation staying tight throughout.
- Shape the melody line with dynamic contours rather than playing it straight. This arrangement rewards phrasing that mirrors the vocal character of the original.
- Balance the brass fills so they support rather than overshadow the front line. The "simmering groove" only works when all sections know their role in the texture.
- Drill the transition passages carefully. Grade 3-4 bands often rush through section changes; map the breath points and counts in rehearsal before adding tempo.
How to use it
This pairs beautifully as a closer or second-half opener on a marching show, providing tonal contrast to heavier parade or classic repertoire. You might also use it to frame a full-season program that celebrates contemporary songwriting, especially if you're building toward music that connects student musicians to living artists.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining a groove feel across multiple sections without rushing
- Balancing ensemble texture when melody and accompaniment carry equal importance
- Interpreting contemporary pop arrangements with musicality and phrasing
- Executing rhythmic precision in syncopated, jazz-influenced figures