Turkey in the Straw: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Rentz takes a beloved American folk tune and builds something genuinely theatrical: call-and-response exchanges, theme-and-variation development, and an unexpected "Old MacDonald" moment that always gets a laugh. The 2-part writing keeps the voicing accessible while the arrangement itself stays engaging, refusing to coast on familiarity alone. Singers leave rehearsal genuinely excited to perform it.

Bright, playful, and unpretentious. The writing celebrates the tune's rollicking character while the unexpected harmonic moments and genre mashup keep listeners leaning forward. There's genuine joy here, built on the foundation of a melody everyone knows but arranged in ways that feel fresh.

This octavo works well for middle school choirs discovering that folk music can be witty and theatrical, and for community or adult choirs looking for something uplifting that audiences will recognize instantly. The 2-part voicing makes it accessible to developing singers while the arrangement's humor and structural sophistication keep it interesting for more experienced ensembles.

• Lean into the call-and-response sections with clear dynamic contrast between the groups; let the answers snap back with energy rather than simply echoing.
• The theme-and-variations passages benefit from slight tempo adjustments to each variation, which keeps the ear alert across the 12 pages.
• Balance the "Old MacDonald" entrance carefully so it lands as a surprise rather than an interruption; rehearse the transition with specific cutoffs and breath marks.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock the rhythmic groove, especially where the banjo figures anchor the folk feel.

This pairs beautifully in a folk or Americana-themed concert alongside other arranged traditional songs, or as a standalone crowd-pleaser that energizes an audience midway through a mixed program. It also works as an opener that immediately signals to the audience they're in for something fun rather than formal.

• Two-part parallel harmony and thirds writing
• Call-and-response phrasing and entrances
• Theme-and-variation form recognition
• Rhythmic precision in folk idiom
• Balancing blend in harmonic sections