High Hopes (arr. Matt Conaway): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Matt Conaway's arrangement captures the propulsive groove that makes this song irresistible while keeping the part-writing transparent enough for Grade 2 players to lock in quickly. You get the satisfaction of performing a current, recognizable hit without sacrificing musical substance or rehearsal time.

Bright, propulsive, and unrelentingly optimistic. The driving rock tempo creates momentum from the opening, and the varied scoring keeps every section active without overwhelming anyone. There's a buoyant confidence here that young players feed off immediately.

Concert bands at the Grade 2 level seeking contemporary repertoire that engages young musicians without oversimplifying the arrangement. This works equally well for ensembles looking to build confidence with modern pop-rock idioms or for directors programming music that resonates with current student interests.

• Keep the rhythm section (drums, bass, low woodwinds) rock solid on the backbeat. Lock them in first, then layer the melodic voices on top.
• Attack the syncopated rhythmic figures with confidence. Young players often soften these moments; punch them instead.
• Balance the melody across your instrumentation. If the tune sits primarily in one section, pull back slightly elsewhere so the line remains clear.
• Lean into the energy of the tempo marking. This arrangement thrives on forward momentum, not indulgence.

Pair this with other contemporary pop arrangements for a concert section that speaks directly to your audience's musical world. It also serves as an excellent confidence builder mid-rehearsal season when you want to shift mood and energy without changing difficulty levels.

• Sustaining rhythmic precision in a rock idiom
• Balancing melody and accompaniment across multiple instrumental voices
• Executing syncopated rhythmic figures with clarity
• Reading and responding to dynamic contrast in contemporary arrangements
• Maintaining steady tempo under energetic articulation patterns