Wizard Wheezes (from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince): Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts

Victor López's arrangement captures the infectious energy of a classic swing tune while keeping the part writing clean enough for a solid Grade 3 band. Your trumpet section gets a genuine moment in the spotlight, and the driving percussion section will make even your less experienced players feel like they're performing something genuinely fun and movie-ready.

Pure joy and motion. Wizard Wheezes bounces with the playfulness of Hooper's original score but filtered through a big-band lens that feels both modern and timeless. It's the kind of piece that makes audiences smile the moment the first notes hit.

Marching bands looking for a contemporary, high-energy crowd pleaser that doesn't require advanced technical facility. This works equally well for fall football games or concert settings where you want to showcase a recognizable film property alongside traditional repertoire.

• Nail the swing feel by having your rhythm section lock into a crisp shuffle. Even if your drummers haven't played swing before, isolating that pulse during sectionals will transform the whole arrangement.
• Let your lead trumpet player own the solo passage. This is their moment; encourage them to play with personality and confidence rather than timidity.
• Balance the percussion layer so it pushes the band without drowning out the melodic material. The driving beat should support, not overpower, your horns.

Pair this with other pop or film-inspired selections for a lighter concert segment, or use it as a closer to leave your audience energized. It's also an excellent piece for fundraising performances or community events where crowd engagement matters as much as musical polish.

• Reading and executing swing rhythms and articulation
• Balancing ensemble blend in a jazz-inflected style
• Supporting a featured soloist while maintaining rhythmic precision
• Responding to dynamic and textural variation in a pop-music context