Ten Big Pumpkins

This easy-going swing tune is just the ticket for singing about that scary season without ever actually mentioning Halloween. As a matter of fact, it works great for just about any fall concert setting. The song tells the tale of someone who, while walking down the street, encounters ten big pumpkins. Nine of those big pumpkins come up with clever excuses for why they need to leave. Which leaves one lucky (?) pumpkin to be taken home and... well, we all know what probably happens to that big pumpkin.

The accompaniment for this piece features a rhythm section (complete with archtop guitar and upright bass) and a big band. Note that in the introduction, the trumpets are using plunger mutes for a fun, "wah, wah" effect. A plunger mute is just what you'd think - the bottom part of a sink plunger (hopefully a new sink plunger), waved in front of the bell. This mute is especially popular in jazz settings and has an almost voice-like quality. With this in mind, when that particular trumpet theme returns on the D.C., the singers are encouraged to sing along and imitate that trumpet sound. For a great example of this, listen to the performance track on the recording for this issue. Our group did a great job of it! Oh, and be sure to explain to your kids that a pumpkin is a type of squash (so they get the joke in measure 23).