My Prerogative (arr. Ishbah Cox): Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Bobby Brown / As performed by Britney Spears / Arranged by Ishbah Cox
Grade: 3-4
Item: 35-PK01252605
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Description
Recorded by Bobby Brown in 1988, this hip hop classic has remained popular thanks to cover versions and pop culture. Ishbah Cox brings it to life for the marching field with the signature riff scored for low brass and the powerful chorus for full band.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01252605
More about this title
About the Artist: Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown emerged as a pivotal figure in 1980s pop and hip hop, moving from his early work with New Edition into a solo career that defined the sound of late 1980s radio. His 1988 album Don't Be Cruel established him as a vocalist capable of blending R&B sensibility with pop accessibility, creating tracks that crossed genre boundaries and reached massive audiences. For music educators, Brown's catalog offers accessible entry points into contemporary styles that students recognize and enjoy performing.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures what made the original irresistible: a hook that lodges immediately in listeners' ears and a straightforward rhythmic framework that marching students can lock onto quickly. Cox's orchestration balances authenticity with ensemble functionality, letting low brass carry the signature riff while building the full band sound for maximum field impact. Programming a recognizable pop hit at this grade level builds ensemble morale and gives students repertoire they actually want to play.
What to expect
Energy, confidence, and swagger. The piece moves with the certainty of someone completely comfortable in their own space, supported by a groove that feels effortless even when the ensemble work beneath it is precise and intentional. Low brass carries an unmistakable cool factor while the full band moments deliver straightforward, accessible power.
Who it's for
Band directors seeking contemporary repertoire that connects with student musicians and audiences alike. This arrangement works for groups solidifying Grade 3 fundamentals or advanced Grade 3 ensembles ready to add style and contemporary appeal to their concert programming.
How to get the most out of it
- Isolate the low brass riff in sectional rehearsals before integrating it with the full ensemble. This line is your foundation; lock it in first.
- Balance the chorus layers so the melody reads clearly over the harmonic support. Full band doesn't mean everyone plays at the same dynamic level.
- Maintain pocket precision during the signature riff. Even slight rhythmic wavering undermines the groove that makes this piece memorable.
- Record a rehearsal and listen for clarity in the low register. Marching acoustics can muddy the detail you've worked on.
How to use it
Place this in the middle section of a concert to reset audience energy after more classical or concert-band standards. It works equally well as a standalone feature in pep band contexts or as part of a contemporary-music set that demonstrates your ensemble's range and relevance to the community.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining rhythmic pocket within a groove-based framework
- Balancing individual line clarity against full ensemble density
- Executing stylistically appropriate articulation in contemporary idioms
- Reading and performing through sectional independence while serving the overall sound