We Can't Be Friends: Concert Band Conductor Score

Michael Story's arrangement captures the song's irresistible groove while keeping the writing transparent enough for a 2.5 band to sound polished without overreaching. The percussion 1 flexibility (acoustic or drumset) means you can teach contemporary percussion techniques regardless of what your program owns, and the chart's radio-friendly energy virtually guarantees student buy-in from day one.

Sleek and propulsive, with a modern pop sensibility that never sacrifices musicality for chart hits. The writing keeps everyone engaged in the groove while maintaining clear voice leading, creating an arrangement that feels both familiar and freshly written for band.

Concert bands at the 2.5 level seeking contemporary repertoire that engages students without requiring advanced technique or unusual instrumentation. Directors programming pops concerts, spring shows, or youth band festivals will find this both accessible to teach and immediate in its appeal.

• Balance the melodic lines against the groove foundation; the arrangement lives in that pocket, not on top of it.
• Emphasize the syncopated figures in the lower voices to lock the dance-pop feel that makes this chart work.
• If assigning Percussion 1 to drumset, coach consistent kick-snare coordination with the written parts before running the full band.
• Let the middle section breathe slightly; the arrangement builds momentum more through orchestration than tempo, so resist the urge to push.

Place this on a pops or spring concert where you need a crowd-pleaser that your students will actually want to perform. The length (2:10) makes it ideal as an opener or closer, and the stylistic contrast works well bookended by either traditional concert band fare or other contemporary pop arrangements.

• Articulation control in fast-moving pop idioms
• Reading and interpreting written groove-based rhythms
• Balancing melody against accompaniment figures
• Syncopation recognition and execution across multiple voices
• Introduction to drumset coordination and stylistic playing (if assigning Percussion 1 to drums)