Over a period of four decades Jimmy Webb (b. 1946) has written hits for a number of singers including Glen Campbell Art Garfunkel Frank Sinatra Willie Nelson Johnny Cash and Linda Ronstadt. His songs are often epic in character and include By the Time I Get to Phoenix; Up Up and Away; Didn’t We; Wichita Lineman and Galveston. MacArthur Park (1968) was unlike anything that had gone before it. Running at over 7 minutes it is 2 or 3 times the length of most pop songs and has an extended orchestral interlude. Richard Harris’ seminal recording topped the music charts in Europe while peaking at number two on the U.S. charts. Philip Sparkehas made this excellent arrangement for Concert Band which is sure to become a regular feature on your concert program.

You can sense right from the start that someone is sneaking around to give that unexpected surprise to a friend or foe! The percussion provide a simple but effective groove and a jazzy middle section helps to mix things up andoffers nice variety. Written in a single tempo throughout here is an entertaining piece that will be a blast to perform and yet musically rewarding to teach. Dur: 2:45