Ooh La La (as featured in Smurfs 2): Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts

Ralph Ford's arrangement captures the infectious energy of this pop hit while keeping the instrumentation accessible for a Grade 2.5 ensemble. The piece strikes an ideal balance between being immediately recognizable to students and rewarding enough to polish for performance, making it equally effective as a warm-up feature or a concert highlight.

This arrangement sparkles with infectious pop energy and youthful charm. The tune bounces with a relentless groove, building momentum through layered melodies that make every section feel like part of something bigger and brighter than a typical ballad.

Marching bands at the Grade 2.5 level who want repertoire that excites students and audiences alike. The piece works equally well for traditional concert programs and for shows, drill teams, or color guard features looking for high-energy music that doesn't demand advanced technique.

• Keep the groove locked between brass and woodwind sections; this piece lives in its rhythmic pocket, so precision in the eighth-note figures will give the whole band confidence.
• Balance the melody line with harmonic support. Ralph Ford's arrangement gives the tune to different sections throughout, so ensure each voice group projects with equal presence when featured.
• The 1:40 runtime rewards clean articulation and crisp phrasing. Mark breath points clearly in rehearsal so transitions between sections feel seamless, not choppy.
• Lean into the pop sensibility without overdoing dynamics. Let the arrangement's inherent catch and melody carry the character; a clean, energetic sound works better than exaggerated contrasts.

Program this as a second-half concert opener to reset audience energy, or pair it with other contemporary pop or movie-themed selections for a themed set. It also serves as excellent stands material mid-season when students need accessible music that still demands musical attention.

• Maintaining tight rhythmic figures in pop/contemporary idioms
• Balance between melodic and harmonic roles within the ensemble
• Clean articulation and phrasing in faster tempos
• Coordination across multiple sections carrying the same thematic material