Uprising: Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts

Tom Wallace captures the unsettling precision of the original without oversimplifying it for the marching field. The percussion-driven opening establishes an immediate sense of menace while remaining playable by middle school ensembles, and the optional synth parts offer flexibility for programs with varying instrumentation.

Uprising builds from a menacing percussion introduction into a relentless, angular groove. The harmonic language stays dark and pressing throughout, with sudden shifts in instrumentation that keep the listener off balance. By the end, the accumulated weight of the ensemble feels urgent and unavoidable.

Directors programming Grade 3 marching shows need contemporary material that respects both the source material and the capabilities of their students. This arrangement works for programs balancing technical progression with the appeal of recognizable modern rock songs.

• Lock the percussion section's rhythmic foundation first. Their material anchors everything that follows, so rehearse the battery and front ensemble together before adding the rest of the ensemble.
• Balance the power chords in the brass lines against the syncopated rhythmic figures in the woodwinds. These aren't meant to lock into unison; the slight tension between them creates the ominous quality.
• Shape the dynamic contours deliberately. The intensity builds through accumulation, not through constant fortissimo playing, so map out your dynamic arc during sectionals.
• If using the optional synth parts, treat them as reinforcement rather than solace. They should sit under the main harmonic content, not compete with the brass for attention.

This works as a show centerpiece or a high-energy closer, especially if your program theme touches on defiance, tension, or social commentary. The middle production placement in Wallace's show concept also makes it a natural middle-of-the-program moment to shift the emotional temperature of your set.

• Reading syncopated rhythmic figures across multiple instrument groups
• Balancing power chords and harmonic reinforcement without losing rhythmic precision
• Dynamics control and shape within a sustained intense musical character
• Ensemble coordination with optional parts (adding/removing synth layers)