Taylor Swift: 1989: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Taylor Swift / Arranged by Johnnie Vinson
Grade: 2
Item: 35-PK00367691
$65.00
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Description
At the top of her game as a songwriter and recording artist, Taylor Swift released the CD "1989" as a tribute to the sound and style of popular music in the 1980s. This entertaining medley for younger players features the blockbuster hits "Wildest Dreams, Blank Space" and "Shake It Off."
Dur: 4:40
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00367691
More about this title
About the Artist: Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift has become one of the most commercially successful songwriters of her generation, with an gift for crafting melodies that resonate across age groups and musical styles. Her 2014 album 1989 marked a deliberate shift toward synth pop and dance production, showing her ability to absorb and reinterpret the sounds that shaped popular music while maintaining her own distinctive voice.
Why we love this
Students recognize these songs immediately, which builds genuine enthusiasm from the first rehearsal. Johnnie Vinson's arrangement respects the original productions while keeping the technical demands accessible to Grade 2 bands, making this one of those rare pop medleys that sounds authentically contemporary without requiring virtuosic sections.
What to expect
Bright, energetic, and propulsive. The medley captures the synth pop aesthetics of the 1980s that Swift channeled on 1989, with shimmering textures and driving rhythms that make ensemble playing feel immediate and rewarding rather than academic.
Who it's for
Bands seeking accessible pop repertoire that connects with current middle school audiences without sacrificing musical substance. This works especially well for programs introducing concert band to younger players who may be skeptical about traditional classical fare.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the groove early. These songs live or die by their rhythmic pocket, so spend rehearsal time on the foundational beat before adding articulation or dynamics.
- Let the rhythmic sections breathe. The energy comes from syncopation and drive, not from aggressive dynamics; band directors often over-push the volume when the arrangement actually needs precision and space.
- Shape each tune's intro distinctly so audiences recognize the transitions within the medley rather than hearing a seamless blur of three songs.
- Pay attention to the balance between melody and accompaniment; pop arrangements rely on texture to keep listeners engaged, and overpowering the harmonic beds will flatten the sound.
How to use it
Open a spring concert with this to grab audience attention from the opening moments, or use it as a palate cleanser between classical selections to showcase your band's versatility. A medley of three blockbuster hits also works well as a standalone showcase piece at pep assemblies or community events.
Skills your students will build
- Syncopated rhythm reading in pop idioms
- Maintaining groove and pulse across ensemble textures
- Balancing melody and accompaniment within pop arrangements
- Recognizing and executing stylistic articulation appropriate to contemporary music