Rather Be: Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts

Tom Wallace's arrangement captures what made the original so compelling in the first place: the interplay between organic strings and electronic textures that feel both polished and immediate. Rather than simplifying the song for marching band, this score preserves its harmonic sophistication while giving each section meaningful musical content. Your students will recognize the tune instantly, but the orchestration asks them to play with genuine musicality rather than simply executing a familiar melody.

Polished and modern without being cold. The arrangement glides forward with genuine elegance; there's an ease to it that comes from strong compositional writing rather than oversimplification. Players will feel the song's infectious optimism while handling material that respects both their developing skills and their musical intelligence.

Bands looking for contemporary repertoire that students genuinely want to play and audiences actually recognize. This works especially well for programs that want to program a pop arrangement without sacrificing musical substance or sophistication. It's accessible enough for Grade 3 players while offering enough textural detail to keep stronger bands engaged.

• Balance the string section voices so the sustained lines underneath don't overwhelm the lead melody; these countermelodies are essential to the arrangement's character.
• Treat the electronic elements conceptually rather than literally. Percussion and mallet work should suggest the synth textures from the original rather than imitate them directly.
• Pay attention to the vocal line even though it's not sung in this version. Shape your phrasing to honor how Jess Glynne delivers the melody; it's more conversational than operatic.
• Build dynamics gradually across phrases rather than hitting sudden peaks. The original's appeal lies in its refinement, not bombast.

This works beautifully as a spring concert opener or closer, giving your program contemporary flavor without requiring thematic programming around it. Pair it with a heavier concert piece in the same show to demonstrate your band's stylistic range, or use it as a standalone feature that celebrates the joy of ensemble playing. The familiarity of the tune means audiences will lean in immediately, making it an excellent choice for community engagement events.

• Balancing melody against sustained harmonic accompaniment
• Maintaining steady tempo while playing layered electronic textures
• Phrasing pop music idiomatically rather than applying classical traditions
• Reading parts that suggest different instrumental colors than traditional marching band voices
• Responding to subtle dynamic shapes across longer phrase arcs