Learn to Fly: Flex Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Dave Grohl / As performed by Nate Mendel / As performed by Foo Fighters / As performed by Taylor Hawkins / Arranged by Michael Brown
Grade: 2
Item: 35-PK00324295
Digital Download
$55.00
One moment…
Description
Originally recorded by the Foo Fighters in 1999, this familiar rock hit made a huge splash recently on YouTube thanks to a live performance of 1000 musicians in Italy. (search "Rockin 1000"). Michael's arrangement of this tuneful hit for flexible instrumentation is perfect for small or mixed ensembles. Dur: 2:10
Discover MakeMusic Cloud: thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Dave Grohl founded Foo Fighters in 1995 after his tenure as drummer for Nirvana, establishing himself as a multi-instrumentalist songwriter and bandleader. His approach to composition balances accessibility with dynamic range, creating songs that resonate across generations and skill levels. In music education settings, Grohl's catalog offers rich material for teaching arrangement fundamentals and the craft of writing for diverse instrumental combinations.
Why we love this
Michael Brown's arrangement captures the infectious melody and driving energy of the original without sacrificing playability for younger ensembles. The flexible instrumentation means you're not hunting for that missing horn player; your group can sound full and balanced with whatever voices you have. It's a tune students recognize and want to perform, which transforms practicing into genuine musical engagement.
What to expect
Bright, propulsive, and approachable. The arrangement preserves the song's uplifting character and clear melodic identity while stripping away nothing essential. You get that same sense of forward motion and uplift that made the original resonate, scaled perfectly for younger players.
Who it's for
Grade 2 ensembles with mixed or limited instrumentation who want repertoire that sounds complete and contemporary. This works equally well for school bands, flex ensembles in small schools, or community groups building confidence with recognizable material.
How to get the most out of it
Nail the rhythmic pocket in the verse. The syncopation defines the groove, so lock the rhythm section first and build the melody around that foundation.
Balance the main melody against the counter-figures in the arrangement. Michael Brown gives multiple voices interesting material, and clarity matters more than volume.
Lean into the lift that comes at the chorus. The arrangement builds momentum here, so shape the phrase to let that energy crest naturally.
Keep the recorded accompaniment at a level that supports without overwhelming your ensemble. It's a guide, not a replacement for your musicianship.
How to use it
Pair this with a spring or end-of-year concert where you want to feature a contemporary hit alongside traditional repertoire. It works beautifully as a palette cleanser between heavier classical selections, or as the centerpiece of a rock-inspired concert that celebrates multiple musical genres.
Skills your students will build
Reading syncopated rhythms in rock contexts
Balancing melody and counter-melody in an arrangement
Sustaining energy and groove through repetitive formal structures
Adapting to flexible instrumentation and ensemble balance
You May Also Like
Scan to Complete Your Purchase
Use your phone's camera to scan the code below
You'll log in on your phone and the order will be added to your account
