The Best of "Shorties": Opt. E-flat Alto Saxophone (Low Br. & Ww #1 Double) Book

López's Shorties series solves a real problem for marching programs: you need something that plays in under two minutes, rehearses efficiently, and lands hard with a crowd. These 16 arrangements capture the essence of iconic rock and pop hits without demanding extended rehearsal time, making them ideal for directors juggling full drill sequences, special performances, and limited practice windows.

Infectious and immediate. These are songs the crowd already knows, stripped to their most memorable hooks and reimagined for a marching ensemble. The energy is lean and propulsive: no filler, all groove. Whether you're playing a funk groove like "Soul Man" or the martial precision of "The Star-Spangled Banner," each arrangement captures the DNA of the original while embracing the clarity and presence that marching instrumentation demands.

Alto sax doublers in marching bands who need quick-to-prep charts that don't sacrifice musicality or impact. These arrangements work equally well for programs performing at pep rallies, time-outs, and football games, as well as bands looking to add contemporary repertoire to stand tunes or special parade segments.

• Nail the opening hits with the ensemble; these arrangements rely on tight unison entries to establish groove and energy immediately.
• Balance the alto sax line against the rest of the woodwind section. In the doubling passages, your voice often carries the hook, so lock the rhythm but let the melody breathe.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to anchor your internal tempo, especially on tunes where the backbeat drives the feel ("Wipeout," "Rock Around the Clock").
• Attack the muted or straight-tone passages with clarity; many of these arrangements use timbral shifts as arranging tools, not throwaway moments.

Schedule one or two Shorties for stand tunes during football games or pep rally rotations where quick setup and rapid pacing serve your program. They also work as morale boosters during rehearsal breaks or as emergency filler when your full drill set needs adjustment. The variety in style and tempo means you can pair contrasting titles to maintain energy across multiple performances.

• Quick note reading and chart familiarity under time constraints
• Ensemble lock and groove orientation (funk and rock feels)
• Dynamic control across popular and traditional idioms
• Doubling technique and voice independence within a section
• Performance presence and confidence in high-energy contexts