I Gotta Be Me: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Reid Thomas's swing arrangement captures the energy that made this tune resonate on Glee while remaining genuinely fun to play at Grade 2. The high-energy style keeps students engaged without overwhelming them technically, and the Broadway-to-pop journey makes for compelling program notes that resonate with young musicians.

Energetic and approachable, with the kind of rhythmic drive that makes you want to move. The swing style gives the familiar melody a contemporary edge while keeping the melodic core that made the original memorable.

Concert bands at the Grade 2 level looking to program accessible pop music that entertains both performers and audiences. Directors seeking music that bridges theatrical and popular idioms without compromising musical substance will find real value here.

• Lock the rhythmic pocket between your rhythm section and drums; the swing feel lives in the precision of that communication, not in rushing or dragging.
• Shape the melodic phrases across sections rather than playing note to note. The tune's pop appeal depends on vocal-like phrasing even in the band arrangement.
• Balance the brass so the melody reads clearly; at this grade level, overpowering the line with trumpet power will bury the hook that audiences recognize.

Pair this with other contemporary pop arrangements in a show-themed concert, or program it as a crowd-pleasing closer that sends the audience out smiling. The television connection and high-energy style make it ideal for pops concerts or spring programs where you want music that resonates beyond traditional concert-goers.

• Reading and executing swing rhythms and feel
• Balancing transparent voicing across a full concert band
• Phrasing pop-style melodies with musicality rather than mechanical precision
• Ensemble communication in rhythm section playing