Step Up: Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts

Ralph Ford's arrangement captures everything that makes Devo compelling: the relentless rhythmic drive, the sharp syncopation, and that infectious hooks that lodge themselves in listeners' heads. This is a chart that energizes both the ensemble and the audience, with solid voicing across the full instrumentation that gives every section something meaningful to play. It's the kind of contemporary rock material that reminds students why they joined band in the first place.

Propulsive, sharp, and unapologetically fun. The chart pulses with the mechanical precision Devo pioneered, yet it never feels cold; instead it channels that same infectious drive that defined new wave rock into something visceral that marching bands can own. From the first downbeat, this is motion and momentum.

Marching bands working at the Grade 3 level who want contemporary repertoire with genuine musicianship and energy. Directors seeking a piece that connects with students' own music tastes while building solid ensemble fundamentals will find this chart both accessible and rewarding.

• Lock the pulse between the snare and bass drum lines from the opening; Devo's signature sound depends on rhythmic precision, not just volume.
• Balance the horn section carefully so the melody cuts through without drowning out the driving percussion foundation.
• Pay attention to the articulation markings in the synth and keyboard parts; clean, tight attacks make the difference between energy and sloppiness.
• Resist the urge to slow down during the ensemble hits; maintain relentless forward motion to preserve the new wave character.

Use this as a spring concert centerpiece or as a statement of contemporary identity within a mixed program. It pairs well alongside classic rock or funk selections, and it's strong enough to close a show on an upbeat note that leaves audiences energized.

• Maintaining steady pulse under syncopated melodic and harmonic lines
• Balancing precision articulation with forward musical momentum
• Playing contemporary rock idioms with full ensemble voicing
• Interpreting rhythmic tightness and mechanical precision as musical expression
• Managing contrast between driving rhythmic sections and melodic passages