Just Give Me a Reason: Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts
As Recorded by Pink featuring Nate Ruess
Words and music by Nate Ruess, Alecia Moore, and Jeff Bhasker [Pink] / arr. Victor López
Grade: 2.5 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0008035
$55.00
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Description
This catchy tune from Pink featuring fun.'s Nate Ruess was one of the biggest hits of 2013. Victor López has created a solid chart playable by any band. This is certain to be a crowd favorite this fall! (1:55)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Just Give Me a Reason: Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Mega Sounds for Marching Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
112
SKU:
00-PK-0008035
More about this title
About the Composer: Nate Ruess
Nate Ruess rose to prominence as the lead vocalist of the indie pop band fun., whose 2012 album "We Are Fun." produced the Grammy-winning hit "We Are Young." His distinctive voice and songwriting sensibility helped define the sound of early 2010s pop music, blending indie rock energy with radio-friendly hooks.
As a composer and performer, Ruess has collaborated with major artists across multiple genres, contributing to tracks that emphasize catchy melodies, relatable lyrics, and production polish. His work has appeared on countless playlists and in educational settings where contemporary popular music serves both engagement and skill-building purposes.
Why we love this
Victor López's arrangement captures what made the original such a phenomenon: an instantly memorable melody, infectious groove, and singalong appeal that keeps audiences engaged from start to finish. At Grade 2.5, it sits in that sweet spot where students feel the satisfaction of playing a recognizable, current chart without drowning in technical complexity. Programming this in your fall shows a band that knows what connects with crowds.
What to expect
Bright, accessible, and thoroughly infectious. The melody sits naturally in most voices, the harmonies support without overwhelming, and the overall sound is radio-ready optimism. Audiences recognize it immediately, which transforms rehearsals from technical exercises into genuine performance moments.
Who it's for
Any marching band seeking a contemporary crowd-pleaser that doesn't require advanced musicianship to execute effectively. Grade 2.5 bands will find ample opportunity to focus on tone and phrasing rather than wrestling with complexity. This works equally well for competitive circuits and community band contexts.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the main melody across your front line; this hook deserves clarity above all else. Resist the urge to let the lower voices dominate.
- Treat the rhythm section as your anchor. This tune thrives on groove, not precision alone. Lock in feel over metronomic exactness.
- Mark the dynamic peaks and valleys clearly in rehearsal. The chart's power comes from its phrasing, not from playing loud the whole time.
- Keep the energy buoyant throughout. Even at a comfortable tempo, the tune should feel lifted, never sluggish or labored.
How to use it
This is your early-season opener or halftime feature. The crowd recognition factor and manageable difficulty make it perfect for building confidence and momentum as students settle into the fall schedule. Pair it with something more elaborate in your closer, or let it anchor a set of pop/contemporary hits.
Skills your students will build
- Playing by ear recognition of a well-known melody across different parts
- Balancing homophonic textures with clear melodic focus
- Maintaining consistent groove and rhythmic feel in a pop idiom
- Dynamic shaping and phrasing within accessible range
- Ensemble precision at Grade 2.5 difficulty without excessive technical demands