Dance to the Music: Choral Instrumental Pak
As performed by Sly And The Family Stone
Item: 35-PK00254852
$30.00
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Description
One of the most influential groups of the late 1960s, Sly the Family Stone soared up the charts, with a soul/funk/rock sound that captured the sound of an era! With rock guitar riffs, a funk bassline, gospel organ and riveting a cappella vocal break, the song was destined for greatness. A fantastic dance feature for show choirs and pop groups!
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00254852
More about this title
About the Artist: Sly And The Family Stone
Sly And The Family Stone emerged from the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s to become one of the most innovative and commercially successful acts of their era. Led by Sylvester Stewart, the group synthesized soul, funk, rock, and gospel into a unified sound that broke down musical and social barriers, earning them induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and establishing them as architects of modern funk.
Their influence on contemporary music education is substantial. Songs like "Dance to the Music" demonstrate how multiple genres and instrumental textures can coexist in a single arrangement, making them invaluable models for teaching students about fusion, genre blending, and the power of groove-based composition.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures everything that makes the original so electric: the infectious rhythm, the conversational energy between voices and instruments, and the sheer joy of a group locked into the groove together. Students respond immediately to material this engaging, and the variety of textures (rock guitar, funk bass, gospel organ, and a cappella moments) keeps everyone invested throughout.
What to expect
Pure kinetic energy. The moment the groove lands, everyone in the room feels it moving through them. There's a freedom and spontaneity to the arrangement that invites singers to find their own voice within the ensemble, even as they're locked into a tightly organized whole.
Who it's for
Show choirs and pop vocal ensembles looking for repertoire that showcases contemporary arranging alongside infectious grooves. This works equally well for directors developing students' ability to sing in funk and soul idioms while building instrumental collaboration skills.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythm section into the funk bassline early in rehearsals. Everything else locks into that pocket, so spend time ensuring the bass and drums feel effortless and relaxed rather than stiff.
- Shape the a cappella vocal break with clarity and confidence. This moment should feel like a conversation, not a section singing in unison.
- Balance the organ and guitar textures so neither overwhelms the singers. Both instruments should sit in the mix as collaborative partners, not soloists.
- Emphasize the syncopation in the vocal lines without sacrificing the lyrical flow. These rhythms should feel natural and conversational, springing from the meaning of the text.
How to use it
Position this as a show choir centerpiece or the opening number of a concert devoted to soul and funk repertoire. It pairs naturally with other Sly And The Family Stone material or with contemporary arrangements of '60s and '70s music, and it's substantial enough to anchor a set while remaining accessible for groups developing their pop music chops.
Skills your students will build
- Singing with precise rhythmic syncopation in funk and soul idioms
- Balancing vocal lines with live instrumental accompaniment
- Sustaining groove-based time feels across extended passages
- Navigating the harmonic language of soul and funk chord progressions
- Interpreting genre-appropriate phrasing and inflection in contemporary music