Part of Me: Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts

Jerry Burns has distilled the infectious energy of this 2012 hit into an arrangement that actually works on the field without sacrificing what makes the original irresistible. At Grade 1.5, your band can deliver a contemporary crowd-pleaser that sounds polished and complete, not simplified, which matters when you're building student confidence and audience engagement.

Energetic and uplifting, with the propulsive rhythm and catchy melodic hook that made the original such a radio staple. The arrangement captures that pop-rock confidence without requiring technical fireworks, letting the band focus on clarity and groove.

Band directors working with younger or developing ensembles who want to program something current and engaging without scaling back difficulty in ways that sound thin or amateurish. Marching bands at the Grade 1-2 level will find this accessible enough to master quickly while still sounding genuinely musical.

• Lock the rhythmic pulse in the percussion section; this arrangement thrives on a rock-solid backbeat that drives the entire band forward.
• Balance the melody against the supporting voices so the hook cuts through clearly without overwhelming the ensemble texture.
• Keep the tempo consistent throughout and resist the urge to rush the final section; the energy comes from precision, not acceleration.
• Mark phrase entrances in rehearsal so every section knows exactly when they lock in with the main idea.

Pair this with your competitive or exhibition season when you need a high-energy closer that connects with audiences of all ages. It works equally well as a standalone feature at pep rallies, parades, or football halftime shows where contemporary hits generate immediate crowd response.

• Maintaining rhythmic precision in a pop/rock context with driving percussion
• Balancing melody and accompaniment in a dense ensemble texture
• Executing syncopated rhythms common to contemporary popular music
• Executing clean entrances and exits at tempo
• Ensemble listening and blend in an accessible but full arrangement