You've Never Had Chocolate Like This: Mallets

Michael Story's arrangement preserves all the theatrical flair and melodic charm of Hannon's original while building in genuine teaching value without sacrificing energy. The piece balances accessibility at Grade 2.5 with sophisticated scoring choices, so your band stays engaged throughout the rehearsal process. Programs love this one because audiences immediately recognize it, but students discover they're learning serious musicianship skills along the way.

This piece radiates joy and theatrical exuberance. Bouncy, propulsive rhythms create forward momentum while lush harmonic moments remind listeners of the film's whimsical world. There's lightness and humor throughout, mixed with moments of genuine warmth that keep it from feeling frivolous.

Band directors at the intermediate level who want a contemporary piece with immediate audience appeal and genuine pedagogical depth. Students benefit from learning how to shape a pop song for concert band, with exposure to swing rhythms, dynamic orchestration, and the interplay between solo and ensemble textures.

• Get the swing feel settled early in rehearsals. Mark eighth-note swing clearly in parts, have the rhythm section lock it first, then layer in melody and harmony. Even at Grade 2.5, consistent swing defines whether this sounds polished or pedestrian.
• Treat dynamic shifts as structural events, not accidents. Each change in volume or texture is there to build excitement, so rehearse these transitions deliberately and make them purposeful.
• Isolate the rhythmic interplay sections in separate rehearsals. When multiple sections have contrasting rhythms, work them independently first, then together at a slow tempo before bringing performance tempo back.
• Balance the solo voices and soli passages so they cut through the ensemble texture. These moments give performers individual voice and keep the full band arrangement from flattening.

Schedule this on a concert where you want to shift the energy and give your audience a moment of pure entertainment between more traditional repertoire. It works especially well as the opening of a second half or as a finale that leaves everyone smiling. Consider pairing it with other contemporary or film-based selections to create a cohesive pop concert set.

• Swinging eighth notes and maintaining consistent jazz feel
• Dynamic shaping and responding to marked articulation changes
• Rhythmic independence and coordination of contrasting rhythmic patterns
• Balance between solo lines and full ensemble texture
• Interpretation of contemporary popular music in concert band context