Uptown Funk: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
As Performed by Bruno Mars
Words and music by Bruno Mars, Jeff Bhasker, Philip Lawrence, Devon Gallaspy, Mark Ronson, Nicholaus Williams, Lonnie Simmons, Ronnie Wilson, Charles Wilson, Rudolph Taylor, and Robert Wilson / arr. Michael Story
Grade: 2 (Easy)
Item: 00-PK-0007163
$62.00
One moment…
Description
Enjoying a # Billboard ranking for an astounding 14 weeks, Bruno Mars brings Mark Ronson's funky hit to life for your developing band. Right in the pocket, the energy and drive is built on the funk beat foundation introduced initially by the low reeds and low brass. That beat is embellished with the charismatic melody and builds to a powerful conclusion. This chart will have your audience clapping on "2 and 4" from the very beginning. Be careful or they'll be dancing in the aisles! (2:00)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Uptown Funk: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Pop Young Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
142
SKU:
00-PK-0007163
More about this title
About the Composer: Jeff Bhasker
Jeff Bhasker is a composer, arranger, and music producer known for his work across pop, funk, and R&B. His production and arrangement credits span major recording artists and film soundtracks, bringing sophisticated harmonic sensibility and rhythmic precision to contemporary music.
In educational settings, Bhasker's arrangements for young ensembles demonstrate his gift for translating modern hits into pedagogically valuable charts that maintain the groove and character of the originals while remaining accessible to developing musicians.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures the infectious funk pocket of the original without requiring your ensemble to have professional studio chops. The chart builds energy in a smart arc, starting from the rhythmic foundation in the low reeds and brass, so every section gets a moment to contribute something important. Your students will feel the groove immediately, and audiences respond to that infectious energy every single time.
What to expect
Propulsive and groovy from the first note, with a steady swagger that pulls listeners into the pocket. The chart builds from a tight, minimalist rhythm section into a full-ensemble celebration that feels celebratory and fun without ever losing its fundamental funk foundation.
Who it's for
Grade 2 concert bands seeking contemporary repertoire that excites both players and audiences. This works equally well for groups still building fundamental ensemble skills and for more experienced developing bands ready to explore style-specific playing techniques.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythm section first. The low reeds and low brass need to establish an absolutely solid, swung eighth-note feel in the funk vein before adding anything else. Spend rehearsal time on just that foundation.
- Articulation matters tremendously in funk writing. Clean, consistent tonguing in the section will define whether the chart sits in the pocket or feels sloppy. Mark articulation markings clearly in parts before the first rehearsal.
- Keep the melody line in the upper voices singing above the beat, not on top of it. The contrast between the locked rhythm section and the slightly laid-back melody creates the classic funky feel.
- Encourage your audience participation from the downbeat. The chart is designed for clapping on 2 and 4, so introduce that early and let the energy build organically.
How to use it
This is an excellent choice for spring concerts, pops concerts, or any program needing a modern, high-energy piece that appeals across age groups. It pairs well with traditional concert repertoire as a change-of-pace moment that reminds audiences why their students love playing.
Skills your students will build
- Understanding and executing funk rhythm and syncopation
- Maintaining consistent pulse in ensemble contexts
- Balancing rhythmic precision with stylistic swing
- Listening and sectional awareness across distributed melodic lines
- Articulation clarity in contemporary idioms