We Are Family: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

This arrangement captures the infectious spirit that made the original a crossover smash without requiring a rhythm section with serious chops. Young players get to stake their claim on a legitimate chart hit, and the funky groove sits naturally in the ensemble without demanding complex syncopation or tricky section writing. Your students will recognize it immediately, and audiences respond to this tune every single time.

Groove-centered and unapologetically funky, this arrangement channels the disco spirit through a big band lens. The pulse drives relentlessly forward while voices and horns lock into a pocket that feels immediately rewarding to play. There's joy and cohesion woven into every measure, inviting your ensemble to settle into a feel rather than strain against complexity.

Grade 2 jazz ensembles looking for accessible material with genuine commercial appeal. Directors seeking repertoire that connects instantly with student musicians and general audiences alike, without sacrificing musical substance.

• Lock the eighth note pulse in the rhythm section before rehearsing melody. This groove lives or dies on the tightness of your drums and bass section, so spend time getting that pocket solid and consistent.
• Shape the horn sections around the vocal melody rather than doubling it exactly. Let saxophones and trumpets breathe together as a unit and find the color that complements the soloists without overshadowing them.
• Bring out the background vocals in rehearsal. Younger ensembles often treat harmony voices as accompaniment when they deserve to sit prominently in the mix, especially during the main hook.
• Keep the energy propulsive but never rushed. Disco grooves can sound draggy if the tempo dips, so lock in a tempo that feels slightly forward and hold it steady throughout.

Perfect for a pops or family concert where you want the audience singing along before the second chorus. Program it alongside other 1970s and 1980s funk or soul standards to create a set that feels contemporary and energized. Consider using it as a closer or near-closer when you need momentum and audience goodwill.

• Ensemble swing feel and funk pocket playing
• Reading and executing syncopated rhythmic patterns in a contemporary idiom
• Balancing independent lines while maintaining section cohesion
• Interpreting stylistic articulation and phrasing appropriate to funk and disco idioms