Blue Tango: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Name: Blue Tango: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-28522
Price: 24.95 USD
Availability: InStock

Music by Leroy Anderson, lyrics by Mitchell Parish / arr. David Giardiniere

Item: 00-28522

$24.95

Shipped

One moment…

Celebrate Leroy Anderson's 100th birthday (June 29, 1908) with this classic tango. Perform with the fun and fresh 4-hand piano accompaniment, or with the original orchestral work for a stunning effect.

Blue Tango: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Request This Title

Tell us you want it.

Start Your Free Trial

Explore everything that's ready to play right now.

No sample pages found.

No sample videos found.

Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

UPC: 038081310664

SKU: 00-28522

More about this title

About the Composer: Leroy Anderson

Leroy Anderson (1908-1975) was an American composer and conductor whose gift for orchestration and melodic invention made him one of the most performed composers in concert halls worldwide. Though he studied at Harvard and served in military bands, Anderson built his reputation on witty, accessible instrumental and choral works that brought sophistication and humor to popular audiences. His catalogue of over 150 compositions demonstrates an extraordinary range, from playful novelties to genuinely touching ballads, all marked by impeccable craftsmanship and an instinct for what sounds both fresh and immediately memorable.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Anderson's melodic gift translates beautifully into choral writing, and this arrangement lets singers inhabit one of his most charming ideas. The flexibility to use either a 4-hand piano accompaniment or the full orchestral sound means you can program it anywhere from an intimate setting to a major concert without losing impact.

What to expect

Suave and spirited, with the unmistakable lift of a Latin rhythm that makes singers and listeners want to move. Anderson's harmonic language is sophisticated enough to reward careful listening, yet the tune is instantly hummable and impossible to forget.

Who it's for

Directors seeking a showstopping piece that works for adult choirs, community choruses, and intermediate-to-advanced high school ensembles. The straightforward melodic appeal and rhythmic momentum make it accessible without being simplistic, and the built-in novelty factor keeps audiences engaged.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the vocal line with the accompaniment so the melody sings through; the piano or orchestra is there to support the infectious rhythmic vitality, not compete with it.
Lean into the tango character by keeping the rhythm buoyant and slightly forward; this isn't a ballad, and the accompaniment will help anchor that dancing quality.
If using the recorded orchestral accompaniment, rehearse with it early so singers feel secure with the tempo and can focus on ensemble blend and diction.

How to use it

This is an ideal closer or crowd-pleaser on a concert celebrating American composers or light classical works. It pairs particularly well with other Anderson pieces or other mid-20th-century American choral standards; the orchestral accompaniment option makes it a strong choice for a gala or festive occasion concert.

Skills your students will build

Maintaining rhythmic precision in a tango meter with syncopated accompaniment
Shaping a clear, singable melodic line within a Latin-influenced harmonic framework
Ensemble balance between vocal parts and piano or orchestral accompaniment
Stylistic understanding of tango character and its performance conventions