Word Up: Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Tomi Jenkins / By Larry Blackmon / As performed by Cameo / Arranged by Keven Shepherd
Grade: 4-5
Item: 35-PK00155970
$75.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Word Up - Full Score | $8.00 | |
| Word Up - Flute/Piccolo | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - Bb Clarinet | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - Eb Alto Sax | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - Bb Tenor Sax | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - Eb Baritone Sax | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - 1st Bb Trumpet | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - 2nd Bb Trumpet | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - 3rd Bb Trumpet | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - F Horn | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - Bb Horn/Flugelhorn | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - 1st Trombone | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - 2nd Trombone | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - 3rd Trombone | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - Baritone B.C. | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - Baritone T.C. | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - Tuba | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - Electric Bass | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - Bells | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - Snare Drum | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - Cymbals | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - Quad Toms | $6.00 | |
| Word Up - Multiple Bass Drums | $6.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Originally recorded by Cameo in 1986, this churning groove as performed by "Drumline Live" is a perfect chart for getting the stadium really revved up and rockin'.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00155970
More about this title
About the Composer: Tomi Jenkins
Tomi Jenkins co-wrote "Word Up" with Larry Blackmon during Cameo's peak creative period in the mid-1980s. The track became one of the band's signature songs, showcasing Jenkins' ability to craft infectious, radio-friendly grooves that translated across multiple genres and performance contexts.
Why we love this
Keven Shepherd's arrangement captures the relentless energy of the original while making it genuinely playable for upper-level high school bands. The chart sits at that sweet spot where students can lock into a groove that feels current and exciting without technical demands that overshadow the fun.
What to expect
Pure swagger on the field. The arrangement pulses with that signature 1980s funk groove that draws audiences in immediately, creating momentum and excitement that carries through a full pregame or halftime slot. Students feel the difference between playing music and performing an experience.
Who it's for
Marching bands looking to energize their field show with something beyond traditional march repertoire. This works especially well for schools building a program that bridges classical fundamentals with contemporary musical appeal.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the hi-hat pattern crisp and consistent; it anchors everything else the section does. Any sloppiness there becomes obvious instantly.
- Balance the bass line so it sits just behind the kick drum. The pocket depends on these two speaking clearly without one burying the other.
- Let the melody breathe on the big moments. Resist the urge to play it heavy; the arrangement benefits from space and articulation clarity.
- Communicate the groove energy visually from the podium. Your body language sets the tone for how relaxed or locked the band feels.
How to use it
Build this into your upbeat closer or as the opening statement that sets a celebratory tone for your show. It pairs well with programs that mix eras or styles, signaling to the crowd that your band owns multiple musical languages.
Skills your students will build
- locking syncopated rhythms in the melody against straight groove patterns
- maintaining pocket with consistent hi-hat and kick drum patterns
- balancing independent bass lines with overall harmonic support
- executing clean articulation changes between staccato and legato passages