Top 40 Hits for Concert Band Tuesday, April 08, 2014
Students always want to play something familiar and fun on the spring concert, and it’s nice to reward them for their hard work during the school year. It also helps with enthusiasm and retention, and besides, most of us start playing music because of our exposure to and interest in pop music. There are several solid new arrangements of Top 40 hits at the grade 3 level from some of today’s most popular artists including Lady Gaga, fun., Coldplay, and hit maker Bruno Mars that your students will love.
Applause – Lady Gaga
arr. Michael Brown
Grade 3
Lady Gaga has struck gold again with this driving and catchy blockbuster hit. This up-tempo rock arrangement is characterized by a syncopated and rhythmic pulse and tuneful melody.
Atlas – Coldplay
(from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire)
arr. Michael Brown
Grade 3
Recorded by Coldplay, this beautiful and emotive ballad from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire notably marks the first time that the band has ever written and recorded an original song specifically for a motion picture.
Carry On – fun.
arr. Jerry Davis
Grade 3
A fun and infectious way to introduce your students to 12/8 meter, this uplifting, mid-tempo anthem, recorded by indie band fun., encourages you to push through and, indeed, carry on.
Treasure – Bruno Mars
arr. Victor Lopez
Grade 3
Bruno Mars’ latest upbeat Top 10 hit is incredibly playable and arranged with a contemporary disco soul beat. Your band will dig the groove and zesty Latin ornaments.