Belmont Avenue/I Like It (from A Bronx Tale) (arr. Mark Brymer): Choral Instrumental Pak
Arranged by Mark Brymer
Item: 35-PK00436461
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Description
This is the opening number from the Alan Menken/Glenn Slater musical "A Bronx Tale". Taken from the '50s "corner a cappella" doo-wop groups and segueing into '50s rock/doo-wop style. This is a wonderful story song that fits a choir perfectly.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00436461
More about this title
About the Arranger: Mark Brymer
Mark Brymer is a prolific choral arranger whose work spans Broadway, pop, and jazz idioms. His arrangements consistently prioritize singability and theatrical impact, making contemporary and classic material accessible to high school and college choirs without sacrificing musical sophistication.
Brymer's gift lies in his ability to capture the harmonic and rhythmic essence of a song's original style while adapting it for ensemble voices. His Broadway arrangements, in particular, have become staples in choral concert programming because they honor the source material while creating genuine performance opportunities for singers at multiple ability levels.
Why we love this
Brymer nails the doo-wop vernacular here, building an arrangement that sounds authentically rooted in 1950s street corner harmonies without asking your singers to do anything unnatural. The progression from a cappella to full ensemble works dramatically, giving you a showstopper opening number that demonstrates both precision and style.
What to expect
Street-smart and joyful, with the warmth of voices tight together in close harmony. The arrangement evokes that specific moment when doo-wop's vocal percussion and block chords give way to full instrumental support, capturing the energy and charm of the musical's opening.
Who it's for
High school and college choirs seeking an upbeat, story-driven opener for a Broadway or American music concert. This works equally well for groups with strong vocal blend and groups still building ensemble cohesion, since the harmonic structure rewards both precision and enthusiasm.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening a cappella passage with clear vowel unification across the group; these tight harmonies demand that all singers match tone and vibrato rate.
- Lock the rhythmic drive once you transition to the full ensemble section. The doo-wop style depends on a crisp, steady pulse rather than interpretive freedom.
- Balance the melody prominently enough that the story comes through clearly, but let the supporting harmonies breathe; they carry the period authenticity.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to establish the groove early in rehearsal so singers can feel the style in their bodies before worrying about pitch accuracy.
How to use it
Open a concert with this number to establish theatrical tone and audience engagement immediately. It pairs well alongside other contemporary Broadway work or as the lead-in to a broader program exploring American musical styles.
Skills your students will build
- Singing sustained a cappella passages with locked intonation and unified tone
- Navigating doo-wop and 1950s rock vocal styles
- Maintaining rhythmic precision in a groove-based arrangement
- Balancing melodic clarity against harmonic complexity