Real quick.. before you keep scrolling to look at tunes. I am a firm believer in how big of a role the band plays at football games. Whether it's pregame ceremonies, the fight song, crowd entertainment, or just being a part of the community... the band is absolutely essential. I will never forget a particular football game my second year as a high school band director. We traveled to a school with a heavily concrete stadium that kinda dipped down in the middle. This made our relatively small pep band sound huge (the reverberation). We were in the second round of the play-offs and it was an intense game. Every time we got the ball, we'd play a "charge" tag with every first down. Each touchdown we'd play the fight song and it was electric. The crowd went nuts and everybody was hyped. I am totally biased, but the band had everything to do with that amazing game. We had a tune for every play for every moment. 

The band is so important to create these moments where music literally brings an entire community together, rallying behind the fight song.. belting "Sweet Caroline"... dancing to the drumline. Maybe one of the tunes below can help you create some great moments. Either way, I hope you find music that helps you rally your community around the importance of the band/live musicians at sporting events!!

Running Up That Hill

When I first looked at the prospect of arranging Kate Bush's tune, I didn't get it. Great tune, wasn't sure about how to work it for marching band. To figure it out... I binged Season 4 of Stranger Things. I then understood and knew I had to try and capture that epicness in the arrangement. This will work well in two specific settings... when your team is down and defeat is imminent, play this song and a shroud of hope will become inevitable escape. Then definitely play it again as the team charges to victory against insurmountable odds. You can also just play it at pep rallies so everybody will say "the band plays current tunes"......from the 80s.

Sheet music plus $50

sheet music direct $50

Hip Hop Band

The first version I wrote of Hip Hop Band came out well over a decade ago. I recently had a moment where I told my students just how long we had been playing it.. it's a fun tune and crowds seem too love it. I think the best part of the tune is that the cheerleaders request it all the time. And if the cheerleaders are into what the band is doing, that's definitely a good thing. Maybe this tune will be a good one for your band. Check it out and see what you think.

purchase on smp $40

buy on pepper $40

Epic Stadium

In my variety of random listening sessions, I once came across a tune that had a groove emphasizing the upbeat of one. I was inspired to write a marching band tune. We play this one all the time, it's great for when we're trying to "pump up" the football team. 

purchase on smp $30

buy on pepper $35

Conquest

Coming soon!