Online: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Paul Murtha's arrangement captures the infectious energy of Paisley's original while scaling it perfectly for Grade 2 musicians. The fact that the actual music video features a school marching band gives your students a direct connection to the source material, and that authenticity energizes rehearsals in ways recordings alone cannot.

Bright and energetic, with the approachable melodic hooks that made the original a radio staple. The country inflection comes through in the phrasing and rhythmic feel, giving your band a chance to explore a genre beyond the standard classical and jazz fare.

Concert bands at the Grade 2 level who want to program something contemporary and recognizable without sacrificing musical substance. This works especially well for groups seeking a crowd-pleaser that doesn't talk down to the audience or oversimplify the arranging.

• Lock the groove early by establishing a solid pulse in the rhythm section; this tune lives and dies by its pocket, not by technical precision.
• Encourage your woodwinds to commit to the articulation; the charm of the arrangement depends on crisp, unified tonguing in the refrain.
• Reference the original recording during sectionals so players hear exactly where their part sits in the texture and what balance you're aiming for.

Perfect for a spring concert where you want to shift the mood and connect with family members who might not typically attend band performances. It also works as a morale booster mid-rehearsal season when students need a reminder that their instrument playing can intersect with the music they actually listen to.

• Groove-based ensemble playing and rhythmic cohesion
• Executing country music articulation and phrasing conventions
• Balancing melody and accompaniment within a pop-influenced texture
• Performing at Grade 2 technical demands while maintaining stylistic authenticity