Too Fat Polka (She's Too Fat For Me) Sheet Music Preview

Too Fat Polka (She's Too Fat For Me): SSA Choral Octavo

Arranged by Deke Sharon

Item: 35-DS00237183

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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 11
SKU: 35-DS00237183

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About the Arranger: Deke Sharon

Deke Sharon

Deke Sharon began his performance career at age 8 in San Francisco, touring North America as a child soloist and appearing alongside Luciano Pavarotti in operatic productions. He fundamentally transformed contemporary a cappella in the 1980s by developing the densely layered vocal arrangements that define the genre today, establishing the sound that would eventually reach mainstream audiences through television, film, and concert stages worldwide.

As founder and director of the House Jacks, Sharon pioneered the concept of vocal groups performing with instrumental density and studio-quality arrangements in live settings. His influence extends across media production (he served as arranger and vocal producer for the Pitch Perfect films) and major competitive platforms (he created the ICCA and CARA competitions, which now shape a cappella programs globally). With over 2,000 published arrangements and numerous recordings at Carnegie Hall, Sharon remains contemporary a cappella's most prolific and influential arranger.

Why we love this

Sharon's gift for comic timing translates directly to arrangements. He understands exactly where to place a joke musically, and this polka packs genuine humor without sacrificing vocal writing quality. For choirs tired of sing-alongs but hungry for levity, this kind of repertoire reminds singers that joy and skill aren't mutually exclusive.

What to expect

Irreverent and bouncy. This is Sharon's voice at its most playful, parodying polka traditions with vocal layers that build from simple melody into something unexpectedly intricate. Singers and audiences both sense the freedom in the humor; there's permission to have fun without apology.

Who it's for

Choirs looking for contemporary repertoire with genuine personality and comedic payoff will find this arrangement refreshing. The SSA voicing makes it accessible to community groups, treble ensembles, and high school choirs ready to move past novelty songs into something with actual arranging sophistication.

How to get the most out of it

  • Nail the rhythmic precision in the opening gestures; polkas live or die by their groove, and Sharon's arrangement depends on tight ensemble attacks to land the comic moments.
  • Let the text drive your character work. The humor emerges from how earnestly the singers commit to the nonsense, not from winking at the audience.
  • Balance the density of Sharon's vocal textures without letting them muddy. With SSA voicing, clarity on the melody line keeps the arrangement's wit intact.

How to use it

This works brilliantly as a concert closer or second-act opener, especially when programmed between heavier classical or Broadway selections. It signals to audiences that your singers don't take themselves too seriously, and it gives your ensemble a chance to show off Sharon's arranging craft in a format that disarms listeners immediately.

Skills your students will build

  • Precision in rhythmic articulation, particularly syncopated figures common to polka style
  • Layered harmonic listening and blend within dense vocal textures
  • Comic timing and character commitment in ensemble singing
  • Part security in SSA voicing with independent melodic movement

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