The Best of INXS: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

This medley captures five of INXS's most instantly recognizable tracks in a single, efficient package that keeps student musicians engaged throughout. The Grade 3 setting makes these undeniably cool songs accessible to developing ensembles without oversimplifying the rhythmic and harmonic sophistication that made INXS stand out from their pop contemporaries. Your students will recognize nearly every moment, which translates to genuine enthusiasm during rehearsals and a concert that resonates with audiences of all ages.

Energy, momentum, and undeniable cool factor. The arrangement channels the sleek production and infectious grooves that defined INXS while keeping the orchestration transparent enough that young musicians can hear their individual contributions. You get the swagger of 1980s pop rock translated into concert band language.

Concert bands at the Grade 3 level seeking contemporary repertoire that excites performers and audiences alike. This medley works equally well for programs building confidence in stylistically diverse literature or for educators wanting to program something that proves concert band can tackle modern, groove-based music without apology.

• Lock the eighth-note subdivisions early in rehearsal. This medley sits on a steady groove, and precision in the rhythm section establishes the pocket for everything else.
• Balance the melody across sections thoughtfully. INXS hits thrive on clarity, so ensure your lead voices cut without drowning out the rhythmic foundation underneath.
• Lean into the stylistic contrasts between songs. Each track carries its own character; highlight those shifts to maintain energy across the full five and a half minutes.
• Reference the original recordings during sectional rehearsals. Hearing how the professional ensemble interprets phrasing and dynamics gives students a concrete target to emulate.

Position this in a spring concert alongside lighter fare, or pair it with other contemporary pop and rock arrangements to showcase your ensemble's range. The five-minute duration and immediate appeal make it ideal for pops concerts, multi-ensemble programs, or community performances where you want to close a set on an upbeat, crowd-pleasing note.

• Reading and executing syncopated rhythms in pop and rock contexts
• Maintaining steady pulse in groove-based ensemble playing
• Balancing melody and harmony within an active rhythmic texture
• Understanding stylistic interpretation across multiple song forms
• Responding to dynamic and tempo cues that reflect song transitions