We Know the Way (from Moana) (arr. Matt Conaway): Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts

Matt Conaway's arrangement captures the propulsive energy of the original without asking your rhythm section to execute anything beyond their current abilities. The melody sits gorgeously across your front ensemble while the driving percussion foundation creates genuine excitement. This is the kind of piece that sounds substantially bigger than Grade 2-3, which means your students get the confidence boost that comes from performing something genuinely impressive.

This is music built for forward motion. The driving rhythmic pulse propels everything forward while the soaring melodic lines suggest voyage and determination. There's a ceremonial quality woven through the arrangement; it feels both intimate and grand at once.

Marching bands at the Grade 2-3 level who want a recognizable, contemporary piece that excites audiences without overwhelming your students. Instructors programming summer shows or exhibition events will find this especially valuable since its cultural specificity and film popularity engage both performers and viewers immediately.

• Lock the rhythmic pulse between your snare line and bass drums first, before layering in pitched percussion; this foundation makes everything else fall into place
• Bring out the melodic contour in your upper voices gradually as the piece unfolds rather than playing at full volume from measure one; the anthem-like quality gains power through dynamic shape
• Let the percussion arrangement breathe during the verses; resist the urge to surge forward dynamically, saving that energy for the full ensemble moments

Open a show or halftime with this piece to establish energy and engagement immediately, or position it as the centerpiece of a film music or contemporary pop arrangement section. Its accessibility makes it ideal for early-season programming when you're still building fundamentals with your ensemble.

• Maintaining rhythmic consistency in driving ostinato figures
• Balancing ensemble sound when multiple sections carry melody simultaneously
• Shaping melodic phrases with minimal technical demands
• Reading and executing parts written for marching percussion instruments with clear stick control