Runaway Baby: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Paul Murtha's arrangement captures the infectious energy of the original without losing the song's structural integrity or harmonic sophistication. The Grade 3 voicing stays accessible while preserving the funk-inflected rhythmic drive that makes this tune so satisfying to perform, giving your band a piece that sounds both current and genuinely musical.

Propulsive and funky, with a melodic hook that sticks immediately. The arrangement pulses with rhythmic momentum and maintains the playful swagger of the original while settling into an idiom that feels natural on concert band instruments.

Concert bands at the intermediate level seeking contemporary repertoire that bridges popular music with solid arranging craft. This works equally well for directors looking to engage students with music they know while building sectional balance and rhythmic precision.

• Lock the groove by keeping the hi-hat rhythm section tight and consistent throughout; the syncopated bass line depends on that pulse staying unwavering
• Balance the melody across sections so it cuts through the rhythmic foundation without sacrificing the overall blend in the full band sound
• Shape the dynamics across the two-minute arc to build energy gradually rather than playing at full volume from the start, letting the arrangement's structure do the work

Perfect for pops concerts, community engagement events, or mixed repertoire programs where you want to signal that your band plays music from the world students actually listen to. The two-minute duration makes it ideal for festival appearances or as an opener that energizes the audience.

• Funk and contemporary pop rhythm articulation
• Syncopation and syncopated accompaniment figures
• Balancing melody with driving rhythmic accompaniment
• Dynamic control across a shorter, energetic form
• Section coordination on syncopated grooves