In My Blood: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

An earnest, building anthem that balances vulnerability in quieter moments with bold confidence in the full sections. The arrangement preserves the emotional core of Mendes's original while translating it into the vocabulary of beginning band.

Beginning concert bands looking to program contemporary music that speaks to their students. This arrangement lets newer ensemble players engage with a song they know and care about while developing fundamental skills in a musical context that feels relevant.

• Maintain consistent energy through the verse sections; the arrangement's power comes from locked rhythmic precision across all parts, not from pushing tempo.
• Balance the melody line carefully when it moves between sections. Young players tend to overshadow supporting parts, so rehearse accompanying voices separately before combining.
• Emphasize the dynamic contrast between quieter passages and the full-ensemble moments. This song thrives on dramatic shape.

Pair this with other pop arrangements from the series to create a contemporary-focused concert, or use it as a standalone feature piece that connects with student musicians and family audiences. The accessibility of Grade 1.5 makes it ideal for an early-season program when ensemble cohesion is still developing.

• Balancing melody and accompaniment in contemporary song structures
• Sustaining phrase shape and dynamic control across longer sections
• Reading and executing syncopated rhythms in a pop idiom
• Responding to conductor cues in piece with frequent dynamic and textural shifts