That's What I Like: Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts

Ishbah Cox's arrangement captures the infectious energy that made this song a juggernaut while distributing melodic material strategically across your sections, ensuring everyone gets a moment in the spotlight. The Grade 3 voicing strikes a sweet spot: funky enough to engage students without oversimplifying the source material. Audiences recognize it instantly, which means your band earns immediate connection with the crowd.

The arrangement radiates contemporary cool with a sly, laid-back confidence. Funk undertones pulse beneath clean melodic lines, creating a vibe that feels modern and polished while remaining loose enough to groove naturally.

Marching bands seeking contemporary repertoire that entertains both performers and audiences without sacrificing musicality. This works equally well for groups developing funk and rock vocabulary or for programs looking to build audience engagement with recognizable hits.

• Lock the groove pocket early in rehearsals by having the percussion and low brass establish the foundational rhythm together before layers get added.
• Create clarity in the melodic handoffs by rehearsing section transitions in isolation first, then gradually bringing sections in as accompaniment.
• Resist the urge to rush the tempo; this arrangement lives in its relaxed pocket rather than driving hard, so maintain steady feel even when energy peaks.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to help students internalize the original groove, then gradually reduce dependence on it as sections gain confidence.

Place this mid-show to shift energy and showcase your band's ability to execute pop repertoire with style. It pairs well alongside other contemporary hits in a full program, or stands alone as a crowd-pleasing closer that leaves audiences buzzing.

• Executing syncopated rhythms in funk contexts
• Passing melody cleanly between instrumental families
• Maintaining consistent groove and feel over multiple repetitions
• Balancing rhythmic precision with musical relaxation
• Articulating rhythmic clarity in contemporary pop arrangements