Uptown Funk: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

This arrangement preserves what made "Uptown Funk" unstoppable on the radio: a locked-in funk groove that builds methodically and rewards precision. Michael Story's scoring sits perfectly at Grade 2, giving every section clear, engaging material that reinforces rhythmic unity without overwhelming developing players. Your students will feel like they're playing something genuinely current and powerful, not a watered-down version of a hit song.

Propulsive and irresistible. The opening groove establishes an immediately recognizable pocket, and once that foundation sets, the melody floats over top with the kind of effortless cool that made the original such a phenomenon. Energy builds steadily without ever feeling rushed, and players will feed off the audience's instinct to move with the beat.

Concert bands at the high school or advanced middle school level, or any developing ensemble eager to perform a chart that feels contemporary and connected to popular music students actually listen to. This works equally well for directors seeking an accessible entry point into funk-based writing or those programming a pop-focused concert.

• Establish the funk foundation first. Have low reeds and low brass rehearse the opening groove in isolation, locking the pulse before adding any melody. This bottom-end clarity makes everything else sit better.
• Push the ensemble to think "groove" rather than "notes." Emphasize the syncopated rhythms around the beat, not just downbeats. "2 and 4" should feel as natural as breathing.
• Layer the arrangement deliberately during rehearsal. Start with rhythm section and low brass, add low reeds, then introduce melodic voices. This builds ownership and prevents the chart from feeling thin in early sections.
• Control the climax. The chart builds to a powerful conclusion, so resist the urge to play everything loud early. Save dynamic space for the final push so it truly lands.

Schedule this as a closer or near-closer on a concert mixing classic and contemporary repertoire. Its commercial appeal and accessible difficulty make it an ideal piece for recruiting reluctant musicians or demonstrating to your community what modern band music can sound like. It also pairs well thematically with other funk or groove-based pop arrangements in the Pop Young Band series.

• Maintaining rhythmic precision in syncopated, groove-based contexts
• Building ensemble balance when melody sits over a strong rhythmic foundation
• Phrasing and dynamic control across a long, structured build to climax
• Understanding contemporary pop arrangement techniques and song structure
• Listening and locking in with ensemble rhythm section