Splish Splash: Marching Band Conductor Score

Jerry Burns has built a reputation for arrangements that prioritize playability without sacrificing character, and this one proves why directors return to his work again and again. The fact that a Grade 1.5 chart can sound this polished and fun in just over a minute tells you everything you need to know about his skill with economical orchestration. Your students will hear themselves sounding genuinely good, which is exactly what builds confidence early in the season.

Playful and splashy, with the nostalgic bounce of the original song translated into marching idiom. The chart captures the fun and energy of "Splish Splash" without losing sight of precision and cleanliness, making it feel like a victory lap rather than a stretch for young musicians.

Marching bands in their first year of building a competitive or parade-ready repertoire, as well as programs that need an upbeat, accessible filler for festivals or warm-up slots. This level suits bands with a mix of first-year and returning players who are still building foundational skills. The short length makes it ideal for opener or closer positions where bands need impact without technical complexity.

• Keep the rhythmic energy consistent throughout the piece; even at Grade 1.5, the groove drives the chart. A conductor who locks into a steady, confident pulse will help the section leaders nail entrances and keep the momentum forward.
• Balance the melody line against the countermelodies in the lower voices. This arrangement likely distributes the tune across your instrumentation, so make sure no single line overpowers the others during rehearsal.
• Use this short duration to your advantage by requiring clean starts and stops. Eight pages at 1:15 means every entrance and cutoff will be heard; precision pays off immediately.

Open a show or parade segment with this; its brevity and upbeat character make it an excellent gateway piece that signals to the audience that this band is prepared and fun. Pair it with a slower ballad to demonstrate your band's stylistic range, or use it as a confidence builder during the first weeks of summer rehearsal when students need quick wins.

• Executing clean, synchronized starts and stops in a short format
• Balancing melody and accompaniment across the full band
• Maintaining steady rhythmic pulse and ensemble cohesion
• Reading and executing Grade 1.5 marching band arranging conventions
• Marching fundamentals while managing melodic and rhythmic precision