Selections from The Rolling Stones: Concert Band Conductor Score

Story's medley captures the swagger and energy of these five iconic Stones tracks without oversimplifying the harmony or groove that made them classics. At Grade 2, the writing is transparent enough for accessible ensembles yet sophisticated in its voicing and orchestration choices, giving students real musical substance to play rather than a watered-down pastiche. Programming five recognizable hits as a single unit lets you celebrate rock history while building genuine musicianship.

Swagger meets accessibility. The medley pulses with the unmistakable groove and attitude of the Stones while remaining transparent and playable. You get the cigarette-and-leather energy of classic rock filtered through an arrangement that lets developing musicians feel like they're playing real music, not educational versions of it.

Concert bands in Grades 2-4 looking to program contemporary rock repertoire with genuine musicality and recognition factor. Directors seeking a single work that covers multiple Stones hits, appeals to audiences across age groups, and keeps students engaged through recognizable material without sacrificing musical learning.

• Establish the rhythm section's pocket first. These arrangements drive on groove, so lock the kick drum, bass, and any snare figures before balancing the melodic voices.
• Lean into the attitude of each tune. 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' demands sharp articulation and forward energy; 'Ruby Tuesday' requires space and lyrical phrasing. Treat the medley as five distinct songs, not five variations on one tempo.
• Use the transitions between tunes to reset ensemble focus. Story's segues keep momentum alive, but they're also natural reset points for intonation and balance adjustments.
• Allow the woodwinds and brass to breathe in the quieter passages, particularly in 'Paint It Black' and 'Ruby Tuesday,' where texture matters as much as volume.

Program this as an opener or closer to a pops concert, or pair it with other contemporary or classic rock arrangements to build a concert theme around musical influence and legacy. The 28-page score and medley structure make it substantial enough to anchor a concert segment while remaining accessible enough for mid-year programming when rehearsal time is limited.

• Groove awareness and rhythmic precision in rock and pop idioms
• Dynamic contrast across multiple tempos and musical characters
• Articulation clarity in driving rhythmic figures
• Balance between melodic lines and accompanying voices in a contemporary context