What A Fieeling (J.Nowak) score (Jerry Nowak)

Giorgio Moroder's iconic "What a Feeling" burst onto the global stage in 1983 as the theme song for the film *Flashdance*, instantly becoming a cultural phenomenon and a defining anthem of the decade. Co-written with Keith Forsey and Irene Cara, who also performed the vocals, the song's synth-driven, high-energy pop-rock sound perfectly encapsulated the aspirational spirit and electronic textures prevalent in 80s music. It topped charts worldwide, earning an Academy Award for Best Original Song and solidifying its place as a timeless pop classic. While not traditionally a jazz standard, its enduring melodic appeal and rhythmic drive make it a compelling subject for reinterpretation across various genres, including the concert band setting, where its inherent energy can be amplified and explored through diverse instrumental textures. Jerry Nowak's concert band arrangement of "What a Feeling" masterfully translates the original's infectious energy into a dynamic and accessible instrumental setting. Nowak, renowned for his skillful adaptations of popular tunes for educational ensembles, approaches this piece with a keen understanding of both the source material and the capabilities of a developing concert band. The arrangement maintains a bright, driving tempo, typically around a lively quarter note = 120-130 bpm, capturing the original's optimistic and uplifting mood. Nowak employs his signature clear voicings and rhythmic precision, ensuring that the melodic lines are prominent and well-supported. Expect a vibrant, full sound, with brass sections providing powerful fanfares and rhythmic punctuations, while woodwinds carry much of the melodic interest, often in unison or harmonized lines that add richness without excessive complexity. This arrangement is structured to highlight the instantly recognizable melody, which passes through various sections of the band. The opening statement often features strong brass or woodwind sections, building quickly to a full ensemble sound. Nowak skillfully utilizes dynamic contrasts and textural shifts to maintain interest, avoiding monotony despite the repetitive nature of the original pop structure. While there are no extended improvised solos, Nowak incorporates well-crafted soli sections that allow different instrumental families to shine, particularly the woodwinds and high brass. Technical challenges are primarily centered around rhythmic accuracy, clean articulation, and maintaining a consistent, energetic pulse. The arrangement rewards bands that can execute precise entrances and releases, and project a unified, celebratory sound. Jerry Nowak's "What a Feeling" is ideally suited for high school and community concert bands. Its familiar melody and upbeat character make it an excellent choice for concert programs seeking an audience-pleasing number with broad appeal. The scoring is thoughtful, providing engaging parts for all sections without demanding professional-level virtuosity. It serves as a valuable teaching tool for developing ensemble precision, dynamic control, and understanding how to interpret a pop-rock sensibility within a traditional concert band framework. The arrangement's accessible difficulty ensures a rewarding performance experience, fostering enthusiasm among musicians and leaving audiences with a memorable, feel-good impression. This arrangement of "What a Feeling" thrives on rhythmic precision and a consistent, driving pulse. Aim for a bright, energetic tempo around quarter note = 120-130 bpm, ensuring the eighth notes have a forward momentum without rushing. Key technical challenges include clean articulation, particularly in the syncopated rhythmic figures, and unified ensemble attacks and releases. Encourage musicians to listen across sections for blend and balance, especially when the melody is passed between instrumental families. Focus on dynamic contrasts to build excitement, from the initial statements to the full ensemble climaxes. Rehearsal should emphasize rhythmic clarity in the brass and woodwind soli sections, ensuring all parts lock into a cohesive groove. No special techniques like mutes or extended effects are explicitly required; the focus is on a strong, unified concert band sound. Q: What instruments/parts are included in this arrangement? A: This is a standard concert band arrangement, typically including full woodwind, brass, and percussion sections. Specific instrumentation will be detailed on the score's title page, but generally covers Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto/Tenor/Bari Saxophone, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, and a comprehensive percussion section. Q: What is the difficulty level of this arrangement? A: Jerry Nowak's "What a Feeling" is generally considered to be of medium-easy to medium difficulty, making it highly suitable for high school and community concert bands. It presents engaging parts for all sections without requiring advanced technical proficiency or extensive solo improvisation. Q: What is the musical style and historical context of the original piece? A: The original "What a Feeling" is an iconic pop-rock anthem from 1983, composed by Giorgio Moroder for the film *Flashdance*. It embodies the synth-driven, high-energy sound of the 1980s, characterized by its uplifting melody and driving rhythmic feel. Q: What makes Jerry Nowak's arrangement of "What a Feeling" unique? A: Nowak's arrangement is unique in its ability to translate the original pop song's infectious energy and memorable melody into a compelling and accessible concert band setting. He achieves this through clear voicings, effective dynamic contrasts, and well-crafted soli sections that allow different instrument families to shine, all while maintaining the original's optimistic spirit. Q: What is the typical performance duration or tempo for this piece? A: The typical performance duration for this arrangement is approximately 2-3 minutes, depending on the chosen tempo and any optional repeats. It is designed to be performed at a bright, driving tempo, generally in the range of quarter note = 120-130 bpm, to capture the original's energetic feel.