Me! (arr. Matt Conaway): Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Matt Conaway's arrangement strips away none of the song's infectious charm while making it entirely accessible to young bands. The marching percussion foundation gives your rhythm section something rhythmically compelling to anchor, and the melody sits comfortably across your woodwinds and brass without awkward transpositions or technical hurdles.

Bright and forward-moving, with a pop sensibility that sits lightly in the concert band idiom. The marching percussion pulse gives it momentum while the melody carries enough warmth to feel genuine rather than novelty.

Grade 2 bands preparing their first pops concert or looking to bridge the gap between classical and contemporary repertoire. This works equally well for directors seeking a morale booster mid-season or a crowd-pleaser that doesn't compromise musical standards.

• Emphasize the snare and bass drum interplay in the opening to establish the groove before melody enters; this percussion-forward start hooks your audience immediately.
• Shape the melody line with consistent phrasing across your first-year players so it lands as one cohesive statement rather than individual parts passing it around.
• Keep the tempo steady and buoyant; any drag will deflate the upbeat character that makes this arrangement work in concert.

Pair this with a contrasting lyrical work in the second half of your concert to showcase your ensemble's range, or slot it early in the program where audience energy is highest. Young bands also benefit from performing a song their peers actually know; it builds confidence and reinforces that concert music can include material from the contemporary world.

• Maintaining steady pulse against syncopated accompaniment figures
• Balance between melodic clarity and supporting harmonic material
• Execution of repeated rhythmic patterns without fatigue or drag
• Ensemble cohesion across grade levels when melody is distributed