It Had Better Be Tonight (Meglio Stasera): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Roy Phillippe's arrangement captures the sultry sophistication of Mancini's original while pumping it full of contemporary energy through salsa-inflected percussion writing. The Grade 2 voicing makes this standard accessible to developing bands without sacrificing the sophisticated harmonic foundation that makes Mancini's work endure. This is exactly what young musicians need: a chart that sounds mature and stylish while remaining technically manageable.

Suave and propulsive. The arrangement glides on a Latin-tinged groove that feels both relaxed and urgently alive, with Mancini's signature melodic grace floating over rhythmic buoyancy. It's the sound of a classic song getting a second wind.

Directors programming Grade 2 concert bands who want repertoire that feels contemporary and energizing without being trivial. Young musicians also connect immediately to material rooted in familiar pop and jazz idioms, making this an excellent choice for building enthusiasm in developing ensembles.

• Balance the melody against the salsa rhythm section; the percussion energy should support the tune rather than overpower it.
• Establish a solid groove in rehearsal before layering sectional entrances. The syncopated figures work best when the band feels the pulse deeply.
• Attend carefully to the dynamic shape Phillippe has written in the brass. This arrangement thrives on contrast between intimate passages and bright, full sections.
• Work the Latin rhythmic vocabulary separately if your band is new to this style. Spending time on subdivision and offbeat articulation pays dividends in performance clarity.

This works beautifully as an opener or closer on a concert that mixes classical and contemporary work. Pair it with other Great American Songbook arrangements or with jazz-inflected original band music to create a cohesive program identity that celebrates popular music literacy.

• Performing syncopated rhythms in a Latin ensemble context
• Balancing melody and accompaniment in a jazz-influenced arrangement
• Reading and executing salsa-style percussion writing
• Maintaining steady pulse through syncopated figures
• Playing with swing feel and groove sensibility