Uptown Funk!: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Jay Bocook's Grade 3 arrangement captures the infectious groove and energy of this modern funk anthem without overwhelming younger ensembles. The writing maintains the song's irresistible rhythmic drive while keeping technical demands reasonable, making it genuinely fun for students to perform and audiences to experience.

Pure, unapologetic groove. The arrangement channels the swagger and confidence of the original, with tight rhythmic figures and bright horn work that feels current and stylish. This is music that makes students want to move and audiences want to listen.

Concert bands at the middle school and early high school level, particularly those looking to connect with student interests through contemporary pop music. It works for programs seeking an accessible funk arrangement that doesn't compromise musicality or ensemble technique.

• Lock the rhythm section (bass, drums, percussion) first. The groove lives in the pocket, and a solid foundation makes everything else land.
• Balance the horn section during the main riff. These voices carry the hook, but they shouldn't overshadow the groove underneath.
• Lean into the syncopation without rushing. Funk is about precision, not speed; let each beat land clearly.
• Shape the dynamics through the form. The arrangement likely builds and releases energy; resist the urge to play at one dynamic throughout.

This fits naturally into a pops or popular music concert, offering a counterweight to classical repertoire and giving students ownership of contemporary material. It also works well as an opener or closer, leveraging its immediate recognizability to energize an audience.

• Funk groove and syncopated rhythms
• Tight ensemble coordination and balance within the horn section
• Dynamic control and phrasing across a repetitive harmonic structure
• Style-appropriate articulation and interpretation of pop arrangement