Lips Are Movin: Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts

Tom Wallace's arrangement captures the sass of the original without relying on electronic effects or production tricks. Marching bands at this level rarely get pop arrangements with genuine harmonic sophistication, and this one delivers rhythmic energy alongside melodic substance that students actually want to perform.

Playful and confident, with a bouncy doo wop groove that invites the audience in immediately. The arrangement bristles with personality in the harmonies while maintaining the infectious energy that made the original song a hit.

Grade 3 marching bands seeking contemporary repertoire that bridges popular music with legitimate musical challenge. This works particularly well for programs that want to engage students through recognizable material while maintaining artistic credibility.

• Treat the harmonizations as the centerpiece. Balance your voiced sections carefully so the sassy upper harmonies land without overwhelming the melody line.
• Lock in the rhythmic precision early in rehearsals. The groove depends on crisp articulation and consistent subdivision across all sections.
• Shape the dynamics with intent rather than playing it flat. Even a "fun" arrangement benefits from expressive contours that highlight Wallace's voice leading choices.
• Let your soloists and small group passages breathe. These moments define the character and deserve rehearsal time separate from full ensemble runs.

Pair this with your spring or summer concert lineup to provide stylistic contrast against traditional or classical selections. It's equally effective as a season opener that sets an upbeat tone and shows your band's range, or as a closer that leaves audiences smiling.

• Voicing and balancing layered harmonies in pop idiom
• Articulation control across rhythmically driven material
• Rhythmic precision in syncopated ensemble passages
• Phrasing and expression in contemporary music
• Dynamic shaping in non-traditional musical contexts