Ghostbusters (from Ghostbusters): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Michael Story's arrangement captures everything that makes Ghostbusters irresistible while keeping the technical demands appropriate for first-year players. The piece builds genuine ensemble cohesion through unison melody and clear harmonic support, and the vocal sections give students an early experience with rhythmic independence and sectional balance that mirrors what they'll encounter in more complex arrangements later.

The piece radiates infectious energy and humor. From the first notes, students and audiences alike recognize the iconic hook, and the infectious groove propels the band forward with momentum that keeps young players engaged and excited.

This arrangement is built for beginning concert bands ready to tackle something with recognizable cultural currency. First-year students benefit from playing a tune they already know, which frees mental energy for attending to technique, balance, and blend.

• Bring out the main melody in first clarinets and trumpets with crisp articulation; the tune's power comes from clarity, not volume.
• Lock the rhythm section (tuba and drums) into a tight groove during the verse sections; this foundation lets the rest of the band sit comfortably.
• Balance the vocal sections carefully so singers project without drowning out the instrumental parts; rehearse sections separately if needed.
• Use the dal segno and coda as rehearsal opportunities to reinforce formal understanding; mark these clearly in student parts and count through them in sectionals.

Program this at fall concerts, Halloween festivals, or end-of-semester celebrations where student enthusiasm and audience recognition matter equally. It works particularly well as a closer or standalone feature that sends audiences home smiling and reminds everyone why kids joined band in the first place.

• Reading accidental signs and adjusting intonation in different harmonic contexts
• Interpreting dal segno markings and understanding form through repetition and variation
• Coordinating with vocalists while maintaining instrumental independence
• Maintaining rhythmic cohesion in grooved, syncopated passages
• Balancing melody and accompaniment roles within the ensemble