Monster Mashed Potatoes: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Thompson writes with a clear ear for what hooks young string players: a rhythm that repeats enough to feel secure but stays catchy enough to stick with audiences. The optional drumset part gives you flexibility to scale the arrangement to your instrumentation while maintaining that irresistible groove that makes students want to nail their entrances.

A joyful romp with 60s pop swagger. The title rhythm becomes instantly recognizable and oddly infectious, driving the piece forward with an energy that feels playful rather than spooky. By the finale, audiences and players alike are caught up in the same irresistible groove.

Beginning string orchestras (Grade 1) looking for repertoire that engages both players and audiences. This work suits school concerts, holiday programs, and any setting where fun and accessibility matter equally.

• Lock the rhythmic pulse early in rehearsal by having the entire ensemble speak or clap the title rhythm 'Mon-ster Mashed Po-ta-toes' before playing a single note; this solidifies the groove everyone needs to lean into.
• If you include the optional drumset, rehearse the drums separately first so they can anchor the rhythm section without overwhelming younger string players.
• Balance tempo so the piece feels energetic but not rushed; younger players tend to drag grooves rather than drive them, so a steady conductor beat keeps everyone locked together.

Program this as a mid-concert palate cleanser or as the closer to a Halloween-themed concert where energy and lift matter most. Its brevity (1:15) makes it ideal for mixed-level programs where you need a confident closer that lets younger students shine without padding the concert with filler.

• Reading simple rhythmic patterns in 4/4 time
• Maintaining steady pulse while executing repeated rhythmic figures
• Playing syncopated rhythms with secure intonation
• Balancing ensemble sound in a groove-based texture
• Responding to conductor cues in a driven tempo