See Rock City: Concert Band Conductor Score

Karrick writes for all sections equally, giving your entire ensemble something to sink their teeth into rather than relegating parts to accompaniment. The rock and funk vocabulary speaks to student musicians in their own musical language while maintaining the harmonic and rhythmic sophistication a Grade 4.5 band can handle. This is the kind of piece that brings genuine energy to a concert without sacrificing musical substance.

Pure fun wrapped in genuine musicianship. The piece grabs you with driving grooves and familiar rock rhythms, then keeps you engaged through layers of riffs that invite every player into the conversation. It's the sonic equivalent of a road trip through the American South: colorful, unpretentious, and full of character.

Concert bands at the advanced intermediate level looking for repertoire that feels current and energizes audiences without oversimplifying the musical content. Bands preparing for concert festivals or contests where a contemporary rock piece can stand alongside classical works and broaden the program's appeal.

• Lock the groove before worrying about precision. In funk and rock writing, pocket and feel matter as much as note accuracy. Spend rehearsal time letting the ensemble find the pocket together, especially in the fast sections.
• Balance the riffs across sections carefully. Since all parts carry motivic material, resist the temptation to let one section dominate. Use dynamic markings as a starting point and adjust based on orchestration density.
• Emphasize stylistic articulation. Rock and funk demand shorter, punchy tonguing in places where classical style might call for legato. Coach your students on when to clip the note and when to let it breathe.
• Use the three-part form to create momentum through the piece. Mark clear transitions and tempo reference points so students feel the architecture rather than just playing through changes.

Program this as a contrast piece on a concert featuring predominantly classical or contemporary art music; its accessibility and energy will refresh your audience and your ensemble. Alternatively, build an entire concert or concert set around rock and contemporary styles, using See Rock City as the centerpiece that other pieces orbit around thematically.

• Funk and rock rhythmic phrasing with emphasis on pocket and groove
• Balancing independent melodic lines across multiple sections
• Stylistically appropriate articulation in popular and contemporary music
• Reading and executing three-part form structures with clear sectional transitions
• Dynamics and blend management in arrangements with thematic material distributed throughout the band