Uptown Funk, Theme from: String Orchestra 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
Item: 00-PK-0007130
$50.00
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Description
One of the biggest hits of 2015 and the winner of the GRAMMY® Award for Record of the Year in 2016, this funky offering is playable by your young-to-intermediate string orchestra. This effective arrangement simplifies many of the rhythms while maintaining the infectious groove of the original tune. (1:59)
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Additional Details
Series:
Pop Intermediate String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
78
SKU:
00-PK-0007130
More about this title
About the Composer: Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars is a songwriter and performer known for crafting pop and funk records with meticulous attention to groove and production detail. His collaborations with producers like Mark Ronson and Jeff Bhasker have shaped some of the most rhythmically compelling pop records of the 2010s, making his work particularly valuable for music educators seeking contemporary material that teaches authentic groove and ensemble precision.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures the DNA of the original without overwhelming young string players. The rhythmic simplifications preserve the funk pocket while keeping fingering and coordination manageable, which means your students spend energy on feel and synchronization rather than technical survival. Programming a GRAMMY-winning hit that students actually know is a rare gift for keeping an orchestra engaged.
What to expect
Funky, confident, and propulsive. The arrangement grooves with infectious energy while maintaining the elegance strings bring naturally; you get the modern pocket of the original without losing the clarity that makes string sections distinctive.
Who it's for
String orchestras in grades 2-3 (Grade 2) and directors programming for concert audiences who appreciate contemporary hits with substance. This works equally well in a pops concert, a spring showcase, or a mixed-genre program where you want to build student enthusiasm and showcase arranging craft.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the pulse with your bass section; the low strings anchor the groove, and any wavering in their time will ripple through the entire section.
- Shape the syncopated rhythms with clear articulation in the upper strings without rushing; let the rhythmic precision come from ensemble agreement, not faster playing.
- Lean into the relaxed, behind-the-beat quality that defines funk; drill this in rehearsal so players understand when to sit slightly late without losing time.
- Balance the melody against the rhythmic figures underneath; the texture relies on hearing both the hook and the groove at once.
How to use it
Place this alongside other contemporary pop arrangements to demonstrate that string orchestras own the full musical landscape. It also serves as an excellent morale builder midway through a season or as a closer that leaves audiences smiling.
Skills your students will build
- Syncopated rhythm reading and performance
- Ensemble groove and pocket timing
- Articulation control in funk idiom
- Balancing independent rhythmic lines while maintaining collective pulse