Steve's Lava Chicken (from A Minecraft Movie) (arr. Paul Murtha): Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts

Paul Murtha's arrangement captures the infectious energy of the original while landing perfectly in the marching arts idiom. Grade 2 accessibility means your entire section can handle the material confidently, yet the groove has enough personality that it genuinely excites both performers and crowds. This is the kind of piece that transforms a halftime moment into something your audience actually wants to watch.

Infectious, irreverent, and built for crowd participation. The rockin' groove invites movement and buy-in from performers; the melody sits in everyone's head by the second rehearsal. There's a celebration happening here, not a recital.

Any marching band director looking for contemporary material with mainstream appeal and genuine fun factor. The Grade 2 level makes it accessible for developing programs while the familiar melody ensures engagement from students who might not connect with traditional band repertoire.

• Keep the groove locked between the drum line and low brass; this isn't about precision perfection but about feeling the pocket together.
• Shape the melody phrasing to match a sung line rather than letting it fall into mechanical articulation.
• Build intensity gradually through the arrangement rather than hitting full volume immediately; save the biggest sound for when the student section joins.

This works beautifully as a pep band staple or as an unexpected halftime closer that breaks the mold of your typical concert programming. Its short, compact form makes it ideal for moments when you need maximum impact with minimal rehearsal time investment. Consider pairing it with other contemporary or film music to create a themed half focused on what modern students actually hear.

• Locking rhythmic precision with the percussion section
• Phrasing a melody with vocal inflection rather than mechanical technique
• Building dynamic intensity through form and arrangement