Megalovania (arr. Rick Stitzel): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
By Toby Fox / Arranged by Rick Stitzel
Grade: 1.5
Item: 35-PK01362615
$45.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Retro music from "old school" video games never goes out of style. This popular and quirky theme from "Undertale" will quickly become one of your students' favorites. This easy version features modest ranges and easy-to-learn patterns.
Megalovania (arr. Rick Stitzel): Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01362615
More about this title
About the Composer: Toby Fox
Toby Fox is a composer and game developer best known for creating the indie hit "Undertale," a role-playing game that captivated audiences with its innovative storytelling and emotionally resonant original score. Fox's work demonstrates sophisticated understanding of melody, harmony, and dramatic timing; his compositions layer nostalgia with genuine musical depth, making them as compelling to study as they are to perform.
Why we love this
Rick Stitzel's arrangement captures what makes this theme infectious without overwhelming younger ensembles. The modest ranges and accessible patterns mean your students focus on locking in the groove and nailing the character of the piece rather than wrestling with technical demands. It's a legitimate crowd-pleaser that also teaches real jazz fundamentals.
What to expect
Quirky and propulsive, with an undercurrent of retro-synth charm even in an acoustic jazz setting. The arrangement maintains the original's slightly offbeat personality while grounding it in swing feel and jazz harmony. There's playfulness here, but also genuine compositional craft.
Who it's for
Jazz ensembles at the middle school level or beginning high school jazz programs will find this arrangement immediately rewarding. Students who grew up with "Undertale" bring genuine enthusiasm to the piece, and those unfamiliar with the game quickly respond to its memorable melody and infectious energy.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the rhythmic pocket early in rehearsal by isolating the rhythm section and locking their comping patterns before adding melodic voices.
- Balance the lead voice against background figures; video game themes thrive on clarity, so resist the urge to let accompaniment bury the main line.
- Embrace the quirky, slightly mechanical feel embedded in the original composition. Precision in rhythm section execution will serve the piece better than romantic phrasing.
- Record a rehearsal take and listen back as a section. Hearing the ensemble's blend and balance from the audience perspective reveals tuning and dynamic adjustments that need attention.
How to use it
Schedule this early in the season when confidence and section cohesion matter more than individual facility. It works beautifully as a concert opener or closer, depending on your programming intent. The approachable difficulty level also makes it ideal for introducing jazz ensemble concepts to students transitioning from concert band.
Skills your students will build
- Jazz comping fundamentals and rhythm section coordination
- Swing feel and articulation in a contemporary context
- Listening and balance within an ensemble texture
- Interpreting character and style from video game source material
- Reading and executing accessible jazz harmonic language