Think (from The Blues Brothers): Marching Band Conductor Score

Doug Adams has stripped away nothing essential from this R&B classic while making it entirely playable for Grade 2 ensembles. The arrangement preserves the song's groove and soul, giving marching bands a legitimate hit that audiences recognize instantly and students genuinely enjoy performing.

Energetic and soulful. The arrangement brings the swagger and infectious rhythm of the original recording to the field, with bright horn parts and a driving beat that lifts the entire ensemble.

Marching bands seeking repertoire that connects with stadium crowds and students alike. This works equally well for pep bands, competitive units, and community ensembles at the Grade 2 level.

• Nail the rhythmic pocket from the opening. This tune lives in its groove, so lock the snare drum and bass drum into a tight, confident pulse.
• Balance the lead melody against the horn sections so the famous hook cuts through without overwhelming the ensemble sound.
• Push the tempo slightly when the arrangement builds; the energy of this song depends on forward momentum, not slowness.

Program this as a crowd-pleaser at football games, pep rallies, and competitions where you want the audience singing along. Its accessibility also makes it ideal for early-season performances while students are still building chops and confidence.

• Rhythmic precision in syncopated R&B/soul grooves
• Balancing melody and accompaniment within a single section
• Performing with stylistic authenticity across unfamiliar idioms
• Maintaining ensemble cohesion in repetitive, groove-based passages