Steve's Lava Chicken (from A Minecraft Movie) (arr. Larry Moore): String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Your students already know this song. That familiarity transforms a Grade 3 arrangement from a teaching tool into a genuine event, one that generates real excitement about the orchestra concert. The novelty context also gives you permission to prioritize fun and ensemble cohesion over technical heroics, which is exactly what a good Grade 3 piece should do.

Infectious and silly in the best way. The melody carries the charm while the accompaniment stays playful and supportive, creating an arrangement that feels celebratory without demanding virtuosity.

Directors programming family concerts, school assemblies, or pop culture themed concerts will find an immediate win. This works equally well as a recruitment tool because it speaks to what students actually listen to outside of rehearsal.

• Balance the drum set so it sits behind the strings rather than driving over them; the novelty lies in the melody and the ensemble's collective energy, not the percussion section.
• Let the strings lean into character and personality in their articulation. Grade 3 players can handle a bouncy, slightly comedic touch that matches the song's spirit.
• Reference the film version during a sectional rehearsal so players hear the original arrangement and understand the emotional landscape they're filling.

Position this in the second half of your concert where the energy can shift toward lighter fare. It pairs naturally with other film or novelty selections and gives your audience permission to smile and enjoy themselves after more serious repertoire.

• Articulation control in a comic context
• Ensemble balance with mixed instrumentation (strings and drum set)
• Melodic phrasing at a moderate tempo
• Rhythmic precision in a straightforward meter
• Responding to character and style cues in arrangement