I'm Still Standing (arr. Matt Conaway and Jack Holt): Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts

This arrangement captures the infectious energy of the original while keeping the writing sensible for Grade 3-4 marching bands. The shuffle groove sits naturally in the idiom, and Conaway and Holt have managed to preserve the song's emotional arc without oversimplifying it. Students light up when they recognize the chorus, and audiences respond immediately to a piece they actually know.

The familiar melody lands like a trusted friend, supported by a rhythm section that propels the band forward with genuine swagger. The uplifting chorus carries the kind of lift that reminds students why they joined band in the first place.

Directors programming a fall or spring show who want contemporary material with immediate appeal and solid musicianship demands. This works equally well as a crowd-pleaser in a concert setting or as a feature within a larger production theme.

• Lock the groove early in rehearsal by isolating the shuffle rhythm with snare and bass drums before adding harmony parts. Once that pocket is solid, everything else settles into place.
• Balance the melody carefully during the chorus so it sits slightly above the harmonic texture without getting buried in the ensemble sound.
• Shape the dynamics to match the original recording's trajectory; the driving energy should feel relentless rather than heavy.

Program this early in your show to energize the audience and establish momentum, or save it as a penultimate selection that sends the crowd home smiling. It pairs well with other contemporary hits or classic rock arrangements that emphasize groove and singability.

• Executing shuffle rhythms and syncopated figures
• Balancing melody and harmonic support across the ensemble
• Maintaining steady groove while managing dynamic contrast
• Voicing pop and rock chord progressions for band instrumentation