Hedgehog, Monkey and Waffles!: Score

Michael Story's arrangement captures the irreverent charm of Gripp's originals while making them work brilliantly for young band. The three contrasting pieces give you enough variety to maintain energy across a full concert program or pops concert, and the Grade 2 accessibility means your musicians can focus on clean execution and ensemble blend rather than struggling through technical passages. Programs featuring this suite tend to generate immediate smiles from parents and students alike, which says something about the power of music that connects.

These arrangements sparkle with humor and lightness without sacrificing musical substance. Each piece has its own flavor: hedgehog-riding energy, good-natured goofiness, and buoyant whimsy respectively. The overall effect is celebratory and joyful, the kind of music that reminds everyone why they come to band.

This suite works for any Grade 2 concert band, but it shines in programs where directors want to mix accessible, fun literature with standard repertoire. Student musicians who come to band because they already love these songs will find instant motivation in learning their favorite tunes in a band arrangement. Directors programming family or youth concerts will appreciate having music that keeps audiences laughing while showcasing solid musicianship.

• Lock in the rhythmic groove first. These pieces thrive on crisp articulation and tight rhythmic precision, especially in the syncopated figures that make them bounce. Spend rehearsal time drilling the subdivision rather than polishing sections individually.
• Lean into the character of each piece. 'Boogie Boogie Hedgehog' demands energy and a driving pace; 'Baby Monkey' needs a laid-back, almost comedic swagger; 'Do You Like Waffles?' should feel bright and playful. Let the band feel the personality difference between movements.
• Balance the melody and accompaniment carefully. With catchy tunes this straightforward, the risk is that every voice tries to play the hook. Use the full score to identify who owns the tune in each section and ensure supporting voices sit appropriately underneath.

Open a pops concert or family concert with this suite to set a playful tone and build goodwill with audiences. The three movements also work well as filler between heavier works on a traditional concert program, breaking tension and giving listeners a musical palette cleanser. Since students likely know these tunes already, the suite can anchor a unit on arranging and adaptation, where you discuss how a viral song becomes concert band literature.

• Rhythmic precision in syncopated figures
• Balancing melody with harmonic accompaniment
• Playing with stylistic consistency across contrasting sections
• Maintaining energy and character through repeated musical phrases
• Reading and executing Grade 2 concert band parts with confidence