One Shining Moment: Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts
By David Barrett / Arranged by Paul Murtha
Grade: 3-4
Item: 35-PK00174096
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Description
Best known as the closing theme for the NCAA Men's College Basketball Championship used every year since 1987, this hit has been notably recorded by artists including Luther Vandross and Jennifer Hudson. A perfect choice for any special "moment."
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00174096
More about this title
About the Composer: David Barrett
David Barrett composed "One Shining Moment" in 1987 as the iconic closing theme for the NCAA Men's College Basketball Championship, where it has aired every year since its debut. The composition has become synonymous with crowning moments in sports and celebration, recorded by vocalists ranging from Luther Vandross to Jennifer Hudson and performed across countless venues and events.
Barrett's gift for writing memorable melodies that resonate across generations and contexts has made him a significant figure in contemporary American music. His work demonstrates how a single composition can transcend its original purpose to become a cultural touchstone played in schools, concert halls, and ceremonial settings worldwide.
Why we love this
Paul Murtha's arrangement captures the emotional arc that made the original unforgettable while remaining thoroughly playable for Grade 3-4 ensembles. The instrumentation sits comfortably across your section ranges, allowing students to experience what it means to perform a piece with genuine cultural weight and immediate recognition from audiences.
What to expect
This piece carries the weight of triumph and reflection. The melody unfolds with understated dignity, building toward moments of quiet celebration that feel earned rather than forced, inviting the audience into something meaningful shared between performers and listeners.
Who it's for
Bands looking to add a moment of genuine emotional resonance to a concert program or special event will find this accessible at Grade 3-4 while still sounding mature and polished. Programs recognizing academic achievement, honoring graduating seniors, or closing a season benefit from music that carries cultural meaning students already understand.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melody line with warmth rather than volume. A smaller group of players carrying the tune with clear tone will resonate farther than a full ensemble pushing hard.
- Shape the phrase endings with slight retards and breath pauses. This piece breathes naturally if you give it room rather than maintaining a mechanical tempo throughout.
- Draw attention to any suspended chords or unexpected harmonic movements by letting them settle slightly. The arrangement likely includes moments designed to deepen emotional impact.
- Secure your drum line's approach to the piece early. Precision in their figures supports the overall forward motion without becoming the focus.
How to use it
Anchor a spring concert finale with this piece, allowing students to experience performing something the community actually knows and cares about hearing. The arrangement also works as a processional for awards ceremonies, scholarship nights, or any occasion where you want to mark a transition with grace and recognition.
Skills your students will build
- Phrase shaping and pacing to support melodic storytelling
- Balancing sectional blend when passing thematic material between voices
- Responding to expressive conducting gestures that shape emotional architecture
- Sustaining tone quality across a range of dynamic levels without losing character