Clever Chameleon: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Words and music by Andy Beck
Item: 00-PO-0003293
$2.05
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
How fun to sing about one of nature's most curious creatures! A whimsical text, bluesy overtones, quirky chromatics, and optional hand percussion paint a clear picture of the skillful lizard and his changing colors. As to be expected from Andy, the two-part writing is spot on.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0003293
Instrumentation:
Opt. Hand Percussion
More about this title
About the Composer: Andy Beck
Andy Beck directs choral publications at Alfred Music and has established himself as one of the most performed choral composers in education today. His catalog includes more than 450 choral works, vocal resources, and children's musicals, along with influential sight-singing and vocal technique resources that shape how singers learn. Beck holds degrees in Music Education from Ithaca College and Northwest Missouri State University and remains deeply invested in choral artistry, music literacy, and arts education.
Beyond the page, Beck is an active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator for honor choirs and all-state groups across the country. He sings as a tenor with the North Carolina Master Chorale Chamber Choir and has contributed his voice as a studio singer for Alfred Music since 1992. His dual expertise in composition and pedagogy informs every publication he oversees, ensuring that music educators gain access to work that challenges and inspires singers at every level.
Why we love this
Beck's knack for capturing a character's essence through music shines here. The bluesy undertones and quirky chromatics create a personality that 2-part singers will immediately recognize and enjoy embodying, while the optional hand percussion gives you flexibility to enhance the visual spectacle or keep it simple depending on your rehearsal capacity.
What to expect
Playful and clever, with a rhythmic groove that hints at blues tradition while maintaining a lighthearted approach to the subject. The quirky chromatic moves catch listeners off guard in the best way, painting the image of a master of disguise through sound rather than description.
Who it's for
This piece works beautifully for middle school and high school choirs seeking accessible, character-driven repertoire that doesn't sacrifice musical substance. It's also ideal for elementary and middle school choir students building 2-part independence and developing confidence with more rhythmic and harmonic complexity.
How to get the most out of it
- Lean into the blues tonality by encouraging singers to shape the chromatic passages with intention; these moments define the chameleon's personality and deserve deliberate phrasing rather than rushing through them.
- If using hand percussion, introduce it early in rehearsals so singers can internalize the rhythmic identity of the piece. Even a simple shaker part adds textural richness and keeps younger singers engaged.
- Work the text's storytelling aspect in sectionals. Have singers visualize the color changes and movement of the lizard; this physical awareness will translate into more animated and confident singing.
How to use it
Program this as a concert opener or intermission number when you want to establish a fun, contemporary tone without sacrificing musical credibility. It pairs well alongside folk-inspired or world music selections, or use it to demonstrate how 2-part writing can still be wildly entertaining for audiences.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing chromatic movement in a tonal context
- Balancing independent 2-part lines with rhythmic precision
- Interpreting character and text through vocal color and phrasing
- Coordinating ensemble singing with optional percussion accompaniment