In the Stone (arr. Paul Murtha): Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Earth, Wind Fire / Arranged by Will Rapp / Arranged by Paul Murtha
Grade: 4
Item: 35-PK00463311
$75.00
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Description
A consistent favorite with bands and drum corps, here is the classic from Earth, Wind Fire in an exciting and powerful arrangement. Lots of variety and drive!
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00463311
More about this title
About the Artist: Earth, Wind Fire
Earth, Wind Fire emerged in the 1970s as one of the most influential funk and soul bands in music history. Their sophisticated blend of horns, rhythmic precision, and infectious grooves created a sound that transcended genre boundaries and influenced generations of musicians across jazz, R&B, and pop.
For music educators, Earth, Wind Fire's catalog offers something rare: music that students recognize and connect with while demanding serious musicianship. Their arrangements showcase how horn sections function as a cohesive unit, how rhythm sections lock together, and how sophisticated harmony and syncopation can coexist with pure joy and drive.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures exactly what makes Earth, Wind Fire essential: propulsive groove, vibrant horn writing, and an irresistible forward momentum that works equally well as a concert opener or a field show highlight. The Murtha/Rapp treatment respects the original's identity while opening it up for the marching arts context, giving your band a piece that sounds contemporary and energized without sacrificing musicality.
What to expect
In the Stone pulses with infectious funk and sophistication. Brass lines gleam with precision while the rhythm section propels everything forward with unstoppable momentum; the overall effect is one of controlled electricity, where complexity and accessibility meet completely.
Who it's for
This Grade 4 arrangement welcomes intermediate bands looking for repertoire that energizes audiences and players alike. It works for marching ensembles seeking a contemporary sound, concert bands wanting to program popular music with substance, and any director ready to give students a piece they'll actually want to rehearse.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the backfield first. The foundation of this arrangement lives in your rhythm section's precision with the hi-hat and kick drum pattern; everything else serves that pulse.
- Shape the horn swell passages with dynamic control rather than just volume. The arrangement includes moments where the brass builds intensity through articulation and phrasing, not simply playing louder.
- Separate the recorded accompaniment from your live parts during early rehearsals. Let your students hear what groove they're locking into, then gradually remove it as confidence builds.
How to use it
Position this as a program statement about what modern marching music can be. It pairs naturally with other contemporary pop or funk arrangements in a concert, or it stands alone as a show closer that leaves audiences and judges energized and impressed. The variety within the piece makes it a natural teaching tool for demonstrating arrangement techniques and ensemble cohesion.
Skills your students will build
- Articulation control in syncopated rhythmic contexts
- Lock-step rhythm section precision and communication
- Phrasing and dynamic shaping across a full ensemble
- Fusion of jazz and pop idioms within marching band voicings
- Reading mixed time feel (straight and swing subdivisions)