Part of Me: Marching Band Conductor Score

Jerry Burns has stripped this 2012 smash down to its essential melodic and harmonic core without sacrificing the song's infectious character. At Grade 1.5, your entire marching band plays something current and recognizable, which drives student engagement and gives you a crowd-pleaser that requires zero technical prerequisites.

Bright, propulsive, and unapologetically pop—the arrangement captures Perry's original's forward momentum and straightforward charm. The piece feels celebratory and modern rather than simplified, which keeps the energy high from downbeat to final note.

Beginning marching bands and those new to competitive or performance-based settings will find this accessible both musically and logistically. Conductors working with mixed-ability ensembles appreciate that every section has something to play without technical barriers.

• Keep the accompaniment figures crisp and even; the simplicity of the arrangement depends on clean articulation from the supporting voices.
• Balance the melody line so it cuts through without drowning out the harmonic foundation—this is especially important outdoors where ensemble blend matters.
• Treat the 1:25 duration as your rehearsal target; drill the piece in real time so students understand phrasing and tempo consistency under performance conditions.

Program this as a crowd favorite on spring or fall competitions, pep rallies, or community performances where contemporary music resonates with both students and audiences. It pairs well alongside parade-ready material, giving you contrast without demanding significant rehearsal time away from more technically demanding work.

• Reading and executing simple rhythmic patterns in a marching context
• Maintaining ensemble balance and blend at accessible pitch levels
• Interpreting style and phrasing in pop idiom
• Executing clean articulation at moderate tempo