The Great Rubber Chicken Galop

The Great Rubber Chicken Galop was written on a commission from Becca Clemens and the Margaret B. Pollard Middle School (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) 8th Grade Band by Randall Standridge (see below) in 2024.

From the composer:

“In symphonic music, we are often celebrated for portraying the vast array of human emotions. Composers are lauded if they convey love, passion, fear, dread, anger, rage, pathos, and sorrow in their works. However, the same cannot be said about humor. Oftentimes, when humor is the main objective of a work, the piece is written off as ‘silly’, ‘not serious’, or as somehow being automatically less worthy of praise than the works that express the other aspects of the human condition. It's a stupid idea, but one that has unfortunately taken root in our music culture.

With this in mind, I was delighted beyond belief when Becca Clemens, director of the Margaret B. Pollard 8th Grade Band, contacted me to write a commission for her ensemble's performance at their state conference. When I asked if there were any content or stylistic requirements, she had one request:

‘lt has to have rubber chickens in it.’

I paused. ‘I beg your pardon?’

‘We want a piece that uses rubber chickens.’

With this in mind, I set out to write the piece you will hear or play shortly. The Great Rubber Chicken Galop was written to sound as if it belonged on stage at a vaudeville performance in the 1920s.

The combination of Galop form, ragtime harmonies, and rhythms, as well as the horde of rubber chickens, creates a piece that is just as serious in its crafting and construction as it is unserious in its comedic effect. I hope audiences will be simultaneously wowed by the virtuosity of the players and amused by the presence of squeaking and honking feathered friends.

Lastly, I must admit that I almost fell victim to the very mindset that I described at the beginning of these notes. After writing the piece, I strongly considered not releasing it. Several in the composition/music world already view me as a ‘lesser’ composer due to a variety of factors, and I was hesitant to give them more ammunition in this regard.

However, it’s like the old saying goes:

If they can’t take a joke, forget ‘em.

Peace, Love, and Music - Randy Standy”

Randall Standridge (b.1976) received his Bachelor's of Music Education from Arkansas State University. During this time, he studied composition with Dr. Tom O'Connor, before returning to Arkansas State University to earn his Master's in Music Composition, studying with Dr. Tom O'Connor and Dr. Tim Crist. In 2001, he began his tenure as Director of Bands at Harrisburg High School in Harrisburg, Arkansas. He left this post in 2013 to pursue a career as a full-time composer and marching arts designer.

Mr. Standridge’s music is performed internationally. He has had numerous works selected for the J.W. Pepper's editor's choice. His compositions Snake Charmer, Gently Blows the Summer Wind, and Angelic Celebrations have been included in the “Teaching Music Through Performance in Band” series.

He has had numerous works performed at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. The Arkansas State University Wind Ensemble premiered his work Art(isms) at the 2010 CBDNA conference in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and his work Stonewall: 1969 was premiered at the National LGBA conference in 2019. His Symphony no.1: A Ghost Story was premiered in 2023. In addition, Mr. Standridge’s “unBroken Project”, a musical initiative about mental health, has received widespread acclaim for its musical content and for providing opportunities to normalize discussions about mental health for music students and audiences.

In addition to his career as a composer, Mr. Standridge is the owner and editor of Randall Standridge Music, LLC and Grand Mesa Marching. He is in demand as an arranger/designer for the marching arts. He lives in Jonesboro, Arkansas, with his husband, Steven, and their very, very spoiled pets.

The music for The Great Rubber Chicken Galop was provided for the band by Stephanie Hope.