Monster Mashed Potatoes: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
By Tim Thompson
Grade: 1
Item: 00-PK-0009552
$55.00
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Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Monster Mashed Potatoes: Score | $12.00 | |
| Monster Mashed Potatoes: 1st Violin | $3.00 | |
| Monster Mashed Potatoes: 2nd Violin | $3.00 | |
| Monster Mashed Potatoes: Viola | $3.00 | |
| Monster Mashed Potatoes: Cello | $3.00 | |
| Monster Mashed Potatoes: String Bass | $3.00 | |
| Monster Mashed Potatoes: Piano Accompaniment | $3.00 | |
| Monster Mashed Potatoes: Drumset 1 | $3.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Unleash ghoulish grooves with this 60s-inspired work by Tim Thompson for beginning strings. The catchy rhythm is based on the title "Mon-ster Mashed Po-ta-toes" and optional drumset guarantees that audiences will be dancing in their seats. A frightfully fun finale guaranteed to raise everyone's spirits! (1:15)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Monster Mashed Potatoes: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
MakeMusic Developing Strings
Publisher:
MakeMusic Publications
SKU:
00-PK-0009552
More about this title
About the Composer: Tim Thompson
Tim Thompson brings together classroom experience and active musical practice in his work as a composer and educator. He holds degrees in music education from Temple University and music technology from the University of Valley Forge, where he studied composition with Scott Watson. Thompson teaches general and instrumental music in the Warwick School District in Lititz, Pennsylvania, and performs trumpet throughout central Pennsylvania.
Beyond the classroom, Thompson serves as worship director at Jerusalem Church in Manheim and maintains an active performing schedule. His background in both education and technology informs compositions that engage young musicians while remaining practical for school ensembles.
Why we love this
Thompson taps into something genuinely fun here: a novelty concept that works because the rhythmic hook actually serves the music rather than overwhelms it. Grade 1 writing that respects young string players' ability to lock into a groove means students leave the rehearsal feeling like they accomplished something real, not just plowed through exercises.
What to expect
Infectious and playful, with the irresistible bounce of 1960s novelty music. The rhythmic hook becomes instantly familiar and stays locked in your head long after rehearsal ends. It's impossible not to move along with the groove.
Who it's for
Beginning string orchestras (Grade 1) looking for repertoire that keeps students motivated while building rhythm vocabulary and ensemble cohesion. This works equally well for holiday concerts, Halloween celebrations, or any program that benefits from an accessible crowd-pleaser.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the "Mon-ster Mashed Po-ta-toes" rhythm as a unison foundation before adding harmonic parts; speak it together until it lives in the ensemble's body.
- If using the optional drumset part, introduce it after strings are secure in the groove; the drums should anchor the pulse, not drive it.
- Keep the tempo steady and dance-able; this piece thrives on groove consistency rather than expressive rubato.
- Let the lighter dynamic passages breathe so the festive finale lands with genuine impact.
How to use it
Program this as a finale or second-half opener to inject energy and lift the mood of your concert. It pairs well alongside other Grade 1 light concert selections and works especially effectively in October or early November performances. The built-in audience appeal makes it a natural choice when you want to send people home smiling.
Skills your students will build
- Rhythmic ostinato recognition and execution
- Groove-based ensemble cohesion
- Maintenance of steady pulse in a driving tempo
- Part independence within a rhythmic framework
- Dynamic control across contrasting sections