Lennon: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Featuring: Jealous Guy / Instant Karma / Imagine
Words and music by John Lennon / arr. Roland Barrett
Grade: 3 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0005971
$77.00
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Description
John Lennon is responsible for 25 number-one singles on the US Hot 100 chart, and in 2008, Rolling Stone ranked him the fifth-greatest singer of all time. He was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987 and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Included in this lush arrangement are "Jealous Guy," "Instant Karma," and "Imagine." Familiar and revered, these tuneful songs will provide pure enjoyment for students and audiences alike. (4:56)
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Additional Details
Series:
Pop Concert Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
276
SKU:
00-PK-0005971
More about this title
About the Composer: John Lennon
John Lennon (1940-1980) was a singer, songwriter, and founding member of The Beatles, whose influence on popular music remains unmatched decades after his death. His solo work following the band's breakup revealed a restless creative mind drawn to experimental production, political activism, and deeply personal songwriting. As a composer, Lennon crafted melodies that were simultaneously catchy and introspective, combining accessible pop structures with sophisticated harmonic and lyrical ambition.
Lennon's songs have become standards in music education and popular culture alike. His ability to write melodies that lodge in the listener's ear while carrying emotional weight makes his work enduringly valuable for concert band arrangements. Teachers and directors return to his catalog because these songs resonate with student musicians and audiences across generations, offering both technical challenges and genuine musical satisfaction.
Why we love this
Roland Barrett's arrangement captures the emotional core of these three iconic songs without sacrificing the concert band sound. The Grade 3 scoring balances accessibility with sophistication, giving students the satisfaction of performing genuinely moving material rather than diluted versions of familiar hits. Programming these songs creates an immediate connection with audiences who grew up with this music while introducing younger listeners to compositions that deserve a place in the concert band repertoire.
What to expect
Moving from the bittersweet introspection of "Jealous Guy" through the exuberant drive of "Instant Karma!" to the serene, meditative beauty of "Imagine" creates a program arc that feels complete. The lush harmonies and singable melodies invite the band to play with warmth and intention rather than just accuracy.
Who it's for
Concert band directors looking for repertoire that engages both student musicians and general audiences without compromising musical substance. These arrangements work for ensembles at the Grade 3 level that have solid fundamental skills and are ready for songs with genuine emotional weight.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melody with supporting harmonies in the woodwinds and brass. These songs depend on clear, singing lines; resist the temptation to let the accompaniment overshadow the primary voice.
- Pay attention to the harmonic movement beneath melodies like 'Imagine.' The lush chords in this arrangement deserve time and space to resonate; avoid rushing the quarter-note passages.
- Shape the dynamic contours phrase by phrase rather than playing at one consistent level. Lennon's songs often build through repetition and subtle intensification; use the full dynamic range to bring out this architecture.
- Let the rhythm section establish a steady groove, particularly in the more rhythmically active sections. The energy comes from precision, not from accelerating.
How to use it
Consider opening or closing a concert with this suite. The three songs work beautifully as a thematic block that showcases different emotional territories while maintaining stylistic cohesion. This is ideal programming for spring concerts or events where you want to bridge popular culture and serious musicianship.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining lyrical phrasing across extended melodic lines
- Balancing melody and accompaniment within a full ensemble texture
- Playing with dynamic control and shaping harmonic progressions
- Interpreting popular music idioms with concert band instrumentation
- Maintaining steady rhythmic feel in sections with repetitive accompaniment patterns