Muppet Show Theme, The (arr Murtha)
Jim Henson and Sam Pottle (arr. Paul Murtha)
General Info
Year: 1976 / 2012
Duration: c. 1:10
Difficulty: II+ (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $55.00; (digital) - $55.00 | Score Only (print) - $5.00
Instrumentation (Flexible)
Full Score
Part 1
- Flute
- Oboe
- B-flat Soprano Clarinet
- B-flat Trumpet
- Violin
Part 2
- B-flat Soprano Clarinet
- E-flat Alto Saxophone
- B-flat Trumpet
- Violin
Part 3
- B-flat Soprano Clarinet
- E-flat Alto Clarinet
- E-flat Alto Saxophone
- B-flat Tenor Saxophone
- Horn in F
- Violin
- Viola
Part 4
- Bassoon
- B-flat Tenor Saxophone
- Trombone
- Euphonium
- Horn in F
- Cello
Part 5
- Bassoon
- B-flat Bass Clarinet
- E-flat Baritone Saxophone
- Trombone
- Euphonium
- Tuba
- String Bass
- Electric Bass
- Cello
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:
- Bells
- Cowbell
- Crash Cymbals
- Tambourine
- Xylophone
- Drum Set
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
First airing in 1976, and enjoying a resurgence from the 2011 movie, this familiar TV theme song's light-hearted style and tuneful melody perfectly fit the quirkiness of the show itself. Here's a solid version for ensembles with incomplete instrumentation.
- Program Note from publisher
The Muppet Show Theme (written by Jim Henson and Sam Pottle in 1976) is the show's theme song. It is the opening and closing theme for every episode of The Muppet Show and was performed by The Muppets in a scene of The Muppets.
At the end of the song, Gonzo the Great appeared onstage to play the final note, with various comical results. For the first series, he struck the O in the show's logo as a gong; in all other series, he appeared within the O to play a trumpet. Each episode ended with an extended instrumental performance of The Muppet Show Theme by the Muppet orchestra before Statler and Waldorf gave the last laugh of the night.
Every series, the TV version of the song was presented with re-worked lyrics. While the opening sequence evolved visually over the course of the show's five series, the musical composition remained essentially the same. Throughout the years, the song has become a staple of the franchise.
- Program Note from Wikipedia
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Oakland (Calif.) Municipal Band (Troy Davis, conductor) - 24 July 2022
Works for Winds by This Composer
Adaptable Music
- The Muppet Show Theme (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Murtha) (1976/2012)
All Wind Works
- The Muppet Show Theme (arr. Cofield) (1976/1978)
- The Muppet Show Theme (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Murtha) (1976/2012)
Resources
- Henson, J.; Pottle, S.; Murtha, P. (2012). From the Television Series The Muppet Show Theme [score]. Hal Leonard: Milwaukee, Wisc.
- The Muppet Show, Wikipedia Accessed 26 August 2018
- Perusal score