We Are The World: Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Lionel Richie / By Michael Jackson / As performed by USA For Africa / Arranged by Paul Lavender
Grade: 2
Item: 35-PK00144426
$55.00
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Description
Originally created in 1985, this rock anthem aided the cause of famine relief in Africa. Recorded again for the relief efforts in Haiti, here is a solid arrangement for younger bands that goes together quickly with limited rehearsal time.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00144426
More about this title
About the Composer: Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie emerged as one of pop music's most gifted melodists and producers, crafting songs that balanced accessibility with genuine emotional depth. His work as the lead voice of Commodores and later as a solo artist demonstrated an instinct for universal themes and hooks that resonate across generations. In the context of music education, Richie's compositions have become staples precisely because they combine strong harmonic sensibility with straightforward, memorable melodies that students actually want to perform.
Why we love this
Paul Lavender's Grade 2 arrangement respects the original's anthemic power while stripping away unnecessary complexity, letting younger musicians own a song with genuine cultural weight. The quick rehearsal timeline means you can slot this into a spring concert or special event program without derailing your existing drill and music schedule. Directors appreciate arrangements that preserve what makes a piece matter to audiences while staying honest to students' current technical abilities.
What to expect
A song built on hope and collective purpose, with a gentle warmth that builds into something undeniably anthemic. The arrangement sits comfortably within younger musicians' range and technical scope while never feeling condescended to or over-simplified.
Who it's for
Grade 2 marching bands and younger ensembles looking for repertoire with genuine heart and cultural significance. Program directors wanting material that engages both students and audiences without requiring extensive rehearsal investment also find this valuable.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the groove early in rehearsals by isolating the percussion section and low brass; this song lives or dies on a locked, confident backbeat.
- Bring out the melodic line in the upper woodwinds during the verse sections, and remind those players that understated phrasing serves the song better than oversinging.
- Shape the dynamic arc toward the final chorus by gradually building intensity section by section rather than jumping to full volume too soon.
- Record a simple click track or use a metronome app during early rehearsals to anchor tempo; rock songs can drift when students are still learning their parts.
How to use it
This works beautifully as a mid-program lift for spring concerts, particularly when paired with lighter repertoire on either side. It also serves well for community outreach events or benefits where the song's message of unity and compassion resonates beyond just the musical performance itself.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining consistent groove and pulse in a rock idiom
- Balancing melody and accompaniment texture
- Phrasing control in contemporary vocal writing
- Marching technique applied to popular music arranging
- Reading and responding to dynamic shaping across full sections