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You’ve Got a Friend in Me (Newman)
Originally composed and sung by the inimitable Randy Newman, You’ve Got a Friend in Me served as the theme song to Pixar’s first feature film, Toy Story. Since then, the song has become an American classic and a musical homage to friendship.
Two-time Emmy award winning composer Alex Stopa has perfectly captured the tenderness of the original song in this new duet for two players on one marimba which was commissioned by the acclaimed Quey Percussion Duo (Gene Koshinski & Tim Broscious).
The arrangement has the two players alternating between the top and bottom positions on the marimba to trade melody or solos for accompaniment and vice versa. Written in a comfortable, medium-tempo swing style, the piece ambles along at a friendly pace while still allowing each player ample opportunity to showcase their musicianship.
The piece requires one 5-octave (low C) marimba; however, note substitutions are provided to allow performance on either a 4.6-octave (low E) or 4.5-octave (low F) marimba.
You’ve Got a Friend in Me ships as a fully bound score with printed parts.
Marimba – 5-octave*
*May also be performed on 4.5-octave (low F) marimba (altered notes notated in score)
Alex Stopa’s arrangement of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Toy Story is a charming and challenging take on the popular Randy Newman tune. Written for two players on one 5-octave marimba, each performer has the opportunity to play solo and accompaniment roles. There are also instructions in the score should only a 4.5-octave marimba be available. Stopa took inspiration from Jelly Roll Morton and Django Reinhardt for this arrangement, which is evident in the rhythmic and harmonic language. Each performer also has a written-out solo in a decidedly jazz idiom, and there’s even a Count Basie-style ending.
One of the coolest aspects of this arrangement is the visual element of the two performers switching places at various points throughout the work (depending on whether they are playing melody or accompaniment). Stopa gives instructions on how to organize the music and music stands for this, but it would be more effective if memorized.
The video performance by Quey Percussion Duo (who commissioned the work) is exemplary and provides an excellent guide for those wishing to perform the piece. “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” is quite challenging, requiring advanced four-mallet technique from each performer. Along with numerous tempo changes, the arrangement’s fast runs, frequent use of double stops, grace notes, and rolls help make it a great virtuosic encore that is sure to challenge one’s chamber music skills. I highly recommend Stopa’s arrangement of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”!
—Joseph Van Hassel
Percussive Notes
Vol. 62, No. 2, April 2024
Originally composed and sung by the inimitable Randy Newman, You’ve Got a Friend in Me served as the theme song to Pixar’s first feature film, Toy Story. Since then, the song has become an American classic and a musical homage to friendship.
Two-time Emmy award winning composer Alex Stopa has perfectly captured the tenderness of the original song in this new duet for two players on one marimba which was commissioned by the acclaimed Quey Percussion Duo (Gene Koshinski & Tim Broscious).
The arrangement has the two players alternating between the top and bottom positions on the marimba to trade melody or solos for accompaniment and vice versa. Written in a comfortable, medium-tempo swing style, the piece ambles along at a friendly pace while still allowing each player ample opportunity to showcase their musicianship.
The piece requires one 5-octave (low C) marimba; however, note substitutions are provided to allow performance on either a 4.6-octave (low E) or 4.5-octave (low F) marimba.
You’ve Got a Friend in Me ships as a fully bound score with printed parts.
Marimba – 5-octave*
*May also be performed on 4.5-octave (low F) marimba (altered notes notated in score)
Alex Stopa’s arrangement of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Toy Story is a charming and challenging take on the popular Randy Newman tune. Written for two players on one 5-octave marimba, each performer has the opportunity to play solo and accompaniment roles. There are also instructions in the score should only a 4.5-octave marimba be available. Stopa took inspiration from Jelly Roll Morton and Django Reinhardt for this arrangement, which is evident in the rhythmic and harmonic language. Each performer also has a written-out solo in a decidedly jazz idiom, and there’s even a Count Basie-style ending.
One of the coolest aspects of this arrangement is the visual element of the two performers switching places at various points throughout the work (depending on whether they are playing melody or accompaniment). Stopa gives instructions on how to organize the music and music stands for this, but it would be more effective if memorized.
The video performance by Quey Percussion Duo (who commissioned the work) is exemplary and provides an excellent guide for those wishing to perform the piece. “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” is quite challenging, requiring advanced four-mallet technique from each performer. Along with numerous tempo changes, the arrangement’s fast runs, frequent use of double stops, grace notes, and rolls help make it a great virtuosic encore that is sure to challenge one’s chamber music skills. I highly recommend Stopa’s arrangement of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”!
—Joseph Van Hassel
Percussive Notes
Vol. 62, No. 2, April 2024
