Heathens: Oboe
As Recorded by TWENTY ØNE PILØTS
Words and music by Tyler Joseph / arr. Victor López
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0017610_O1
$3.00
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Description
Another Billboard Hot Rock Song #1 hit from the alternative/hipster band TWENTY ØNE PILØTS that will certainly please your audience and students. With everyone having a crack at the melody, "Heathens" is a great title to program at your next recruiting concert. (2:00)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Heathens: Oboe comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Pop Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
138
SKU:
00-PC-0017610_O1
More about this title
About the Composer: Tyler Joseph
Tyler Joseph is the lead vocalist and primary songwriter for TWENTY ØNE PILØTS, the Columbus-based alternative rock band that emerged in the early 2010s. His compositions blend introspective lyricism with genre-blending instrumentation, drawing from hip-hop, electronic, and rock influences. Joseph's work has consistently reached mainstream audiences while maintaining artistic credibility, making his catalogue especially relevant for concert programming that speaks to contemporary student musicians.
As a composer working across both studio and live contexts, Joseph creates music that challenges conventional genre boundaries. His songs have earned multiple Billboard chart positions and platinum certifications, giving educators access to repertoire that resonates authentically with young musicians while meeting ensemble performance standards.
Why we love this
Victor López's arrangement captures the driving energy and contemporary attitude of the original without losing the accessibility that makes this work ideal for Grade 2 ensembles. The layout ensures wide melodic participation across sections, which means your musicians stay engaged throughout rather than watching from the sidelines. Programming this at a recruiting concert signals to middle school students that concert band performs music they actually listen to.
What to expect
Edgy and driving, with the defiant attitude of modern alternative rock grounded in a solid ensemble context. The piece captures the song's moody introspection and builds to moments of full ensemble power, creating a performance experience that feels current and energized rather than arranged-down.
Who it's for
Concert band directors seeking contemporary repertoire that connects with student musicians and audiences alike. Grade 2 bands with solid fundamentals in rhythm reading and sectional balance will find this arrangement accessible and rewarding to prepare.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the rock groove with precise ensemble rhythm section work. The drums and bass need locked coordination to maintain the groove's pocket, so isolated sectional rehearsals for rhythm section players pay immediate dividends.
- Approach dynamics with intention rather than default. This arrangement works best when you establish clear peaks and valleys; let the band pull back on quieter sections to create impact when the full ensemble comes in.
- Manage the melodic sharing strategically. With so many sections carrying the main idea, clarity comes from clean entrances and releases. Mark cutoffs explicitly in your parts and conduct them visually so transitions feel intentional.
- Capture the contemporary vocal delivery implied in the original. Even though this is instrumental, slight rhythmic relaxation and expressive phrasing in key moments will make the performance feel alive rather than metronomic.
How to use it
Open a recruiting concert with this title to immediately signal what your program is about. The contemporary source material and Grade 2 accessibility make it an excellent first-half piece that balances more traditional concert band fare. It also pairs well with other Pop Young Band arrangements to build a thematic concert around contemporary popular music.
Skills your students will build
- Rock rhythm coordination (quarter note grooves and syncopation)
- Ensemble balance when sharing primary melody across multiple sections
- Phrasing and expression in contemporary music contexts
- Rhythmic precision in sustained passages with moving accompaniment