Polka Party: Flex Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts
Arranged by Paul Murtha
Grade: 2-3
Item: 35-PK00275193
$70.00
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Description
Here's a rousing medley of three all-time favorite polka hits. Includes: "Pennsylvania Polka, Just Because", and of course "The Chicken Dance". And who doesn't like a good polka! Dur: 2:45
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00275193
More about this title
About the Arranger: Paul Murtha
Paul Murtha is a prolific arranger whose work has become essential across American music education. His arrangements span jazz, concert band, show tunes, and folk traditions, all marked by accessibility without sacrificing musicality. Murtha understands ensemble pedagogy intimately; his scores consistently balance student engagement with legitimate musical content.
Why we love this
Murtha's arrangement captures the infectious energy of polka without demanding impossible technical chops. The medley format gives you three beloved tunes in one tight package, making it ideal for programming when you want immediate crowd appeal and guaranteed audience recognition. The flexibility of the ensemble setting means you can perform this with whatever instrumentation you have on hand.
What to expect
Bright, bouncy, and unpretentious. Polka has a sturdy cheerfulness that lifts everyone in the room, and this arrangement honors that spirit with straightforward rhythms and spirited melodies. There's something genuinely joyful about playing tunes this well-known, especially when you hear the audience recognize "The Chicken Dance".
Who it's for
This is made for ensembles that need repertoire with instant audience connection and built-in fun factor. Whether you're programming a community concert, filling a pops night, or introducing younger students to folk traditions through an accessible vehicle, this medley delivers without requiring advanced musicianship.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the articulation crisp and rhythmically locked; polka lives in the precision of its short attacks, not in legato phrasing.
- Let the accordion character shine through your reed and brass parts. The rhythmic chug is what drives polka style.
- Build momentum across the medley rather than treating each tune as separate. Link them smoothly so the energy carries forward.
- Don't shy away from the straightforward harmonic progressions. They're the backbone; clarity of line matters more than textural complexity.
How to use it
Drop this into a lighter concert segment where you want to shift the mood and reset audience energy. It pairs well alongside other folk-based arrangements or as a palate cleanser between more serious works. The 2:45 duration makes it perfect for filling a specific program slot without overshadowing other selections.
Skills your students will build
- Rhythmic precision in short articulated phrases
- Folk music idioms and stylistic articulation
- Reading and executing straightforward harmonic progressions
- Ensemble cohesion in fast-moving textures