That's What I Like: Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
As Recorded by Bruno Mars
Words and music by Christopher Brown, Jeremy Reeves, Jonathan Yip, Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, James Fauntleroy, Ray Romulus, and Ray McCullough II / arr. Michael Story
Grade: 2
Item: 00-PK-0007543
$58.00
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Description
This chart-topping hit from Bruno Mars was the 2017 GRAMMY® Award-winning Song of the Year. Although it is scored for full orchestra, the piece is playable by string orchestra alone, or with any number of added winds or percussion. "That's What I Like," arranged by Michael Story, is a perfect pop selection to motivate students!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, That's What I Like: Full Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Sample Audio
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Additional Details
Series:
Pop Intermediate String/Full Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
142
SKU:
00-PK-0007543
More about this title
Why we love this
Michael Story's orchestration brings genuine funk and contemporary energy to a tune your students already know and love. The flexible instrumentation means you can perform it with strings alone or scale up to full orchestra, making it work across different ensemble sizes and ability levels. It's a rare pop arrangement that feels both accessible and genuinely fun to conduct.
What to expect
Sleek and modern with an unmistakable funk undertone, this arrangement captures the confident swagger of the original while giving each section room to shine. The orchestration balances pop sensibility with genuine musicianship, creating something that feels both immediately gratifying and rewarding to refine.
Who it's for
Orchestra directors working with intermediate Grade 2 ensembles who want contemporary repertoire that engages students through a song they recognize. It works equally well for string orchestras looking to add pop programming, or full orchestras seeking an approachable chart-topper with real musical substance.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the groove early. The rhythmic pocket is everything in this piece; spend rehearsal time getting the rhythm section and string parts synchronized before layering in the melodic details.
- Bring out the countermelodies. With the main hook familiar to everyone, the orchestration shines through its supporting lines and instrumental riffs. Balance them so they complement rather than compete with the melody.
- Control the dynamics in the fuller sections. As you add winds or percussion, resist the urge to let the sound grow muddy. Clarity comes from articulation and precise entrances, not volume.
How to use it
Program it mid-concert to energize an audience and bridge to heavier repertoire, or close a concert with it to leave listeners smiling. The flexibility to perform it as strings-only makes it an excellent choice for a mixed concert pairing classical and contemporary works without requiring full ensemble presence for every piece.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining a steady funk groove across multiple instrumental lines
- Balancing melody with supporting orchestral textures
- Reading and executing contemporary rhythmic figures and articulations
- Responding to flexible instrumentation (adapting parts based on ensemble size)
- Connecting to popular music within a classical ensemble context