Chewy Chocolate!: Conductor Score

David Martin writes with genuine affection for beginning band students, crafting pieces that entertain without talking down to young musicians. The repetitive yet inventive bass line keeps the ensemble grounded while the melody stays memorable without saccharine sweetness, making this score genuinely fun to teach and conduct.

Playful and approachable, with a wink to the audience. The title and subtitle promise humor, and the music delivers on that promise through clever orchestration and straightforward melodic writing that feels immediately satisfying to play.

Beginning band directors and conductors (Grade 1 level) who want their young ensembles to play something engaging and genuinely entertaining. Students will feel like they're performing real music with personality, not just technical exercises.

• Keep the bass line absolutely locked in time; its repetitive nature is the structural anchor that lets the melody soar above it.
• Balance the melody prominently in the upper voices while maintaining the bass line's steady presence, creating a clear dialogue between the two.
• Lean into the humor by letting the ensemble breathe where the phrase naturally breaks, allowing the comedic timing to land.

Program this as a concert opener or closer to set a lighthearted tone and let your young ensemble show off their musicality in a fun context. It works beautifully on a pops concert or alongside other novelty pieces for a program that celebrates the joy of playing together.

• Maintaining steady pulse and ensemble unity around a fixed harmonic foundation
• Balancing melodic lines against supporting parts
• Interpreting and executing musical humor and character