Stand Up and Swing: Concert Band Conductor Score

This piece transforms a style that students hear everywhere into something they can actually play at Grade 1.5. O'Reilly's sectional solo structure keeps every player engaged and gives each section a moment in the spotlight, which is exactly what young bands need to build confidence and investment in rehearsal.

Stand Up and Swing has a relaxed, sophisticated groove despite its accessibility. There's real playfulness in the sectional exchanges, and a touch of elegance in the minor key harmonies that make young players sound far more polished than the technical difficulty suggests.

This is designed for Grade 1.5 concert bands encountering swing style for the first time. It works equally well for students in their first year of band or second-year players building maturity and sectional balance.

• Balance the soloists against the backup figures. The standing section should project without overwhelming the accompaniment, so the contrast between solo and tutti remains clear throughout.
• Keep the swing feel grounded in a steady, relaxed pulse. Resist the urge to rush; younger ensembles often accelerate when they're enjoying themselves, so a firm conductor beat anchors everyone.
• Let the minor tonality breathe. The 'cool' quality of the piece comes from tone control and space, not from pushing volume or tempo.

Include this early in a concert when you want to energize an audience while demonstrating your band's musicality and sectional clarity. It pairs well with more traditional concert openers and serves as a strong closer for casual or family concert settings.

• Reading and executing swing rhythm feel
• Sectional balance and blend
• Playing sustained accompaniment figures while others solo
• Phrasing and articulation in a contemporary style
• Confidence in minor key tonality