That's the Way (I Like It): Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts

This arrangement captures the propulsive heart of the original without requiring a rhythm section to sustain the groove. The brass writing is both playable and genuinely fun, giving your band members a song they actually recognize and want to perform. Directors appreciate how efficiently Brown and Rapp deliver instant recognizability while keeping the band engaged through dynamic brass interplay and a genuine percussion moment.

Propulsive, funky, and immediately recognizable. The relentless disco pulse feels both nostalgic and surprisingly modern, with brass riffs that sit comfortably in your head long after rehearsal ends. There's a built-in joy to this arrangement that surfaces the moment your band locks into the groove.

Any marching band looking for contemporary repertoire that generates genuine audience engagement without sacrificing musicality. This works for groups seeking a festival or parade piece that brings high school and middle school students together with a song they know and can be proud to perform.

• Keep the hi-hat articulation crisp and consistent in the rhythm section; it's the heartbeat of the entire arrangement and any sloppiness will derail the groove immediately.
• Balance the brass riffs so they layer cleanly without one section overpowering the hook. The trombone counterline deserves space even when trumpets have the main melody.
• Treat the percussion feature as a true spotlight, not background filler. Lock the mallet choices and dynamic shape so the audience recognizes this as a designed moment, not a solo that interrupted the song.
• Dial in the tempo carefully in rehearsal. The groove lives in the pocket, so rushing even slightly will make the whole chart feel forced rather than locked.

Consider this for a lighter moment in a concert that balances classical or contemporary concert band works. It also shines as a parade or halftime feature where audience familiarity becomes an asset rather than a concern. The length and energy level make it ideal for sandwiching between two heavier or more introspective pieces.

• Sustaining and locking a steady groove across multiple sections
• Balance and blend in layered brass riffs and counterlines
• Stylistic brass interpretation within funk and disco contexts
• Percussion ensemble coordination and dynamic shaping
• Listening across the band for alignment with the backbeat