Dancing In The Street: Choral Instrumental Pak
As performed by Martha The Vandellas / Arranged by Kirby Shaw
Item: 35-PK00234342
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Description
Here is the iconic 1960s hit by Martha the Vandellas on overdrive! A perfect show choir theme, this arrangement opens with a vocal build punctuated by horn punches and handclaps before exploding into the instantly recognized verse. The party atmosphere continues with a fun vocal stack before closing with the final powerful "call." Duration: ca. 3:25.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00234342
More about this title
About the Artist: Martha The Vandellas
Martha and the Vandellas emerged from Detroit's Motown stable in the early 1960s and became one of the label's most consistent hitmakers. With their tight harmonies and infectious energy, they recorded some of pop music's most enduring songs, including "Heat Wave," "Nowhere to Run," and "Dancing in the Street." Their vocal precision and rhythmic drive made them essential fixtures on the Motown assembly line.
The group's legacy rests on their ability to deliver songs with unwavering confidence and infectious joy. "Dancing in the Street" in particular became an anthem of the civil rights era and remains a staple of American popular culture. For educators, their work offers a masterclass in how tight ensemble singing and rhythmic precision can create lasting, culturally significant music.
Why we love this
Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures the original's infectious momentum while building in layers that reward your singers' execution. The vocal stacking and horn punches create genuine textural drama without sacrificing accessibility, making this feel like a show choir victory lap rather than a nostalgia piece. Your ensemble gets to experience the visceral satisfaction of nailing a tight, groove-based arrangement.
What to expect
Pure kinetic energy. The arrangement opens with anticipation and builds into an irresistible groove, with horn stabs and vocal textures layering atop a foundation that never stops moving. By the final moments, your singers are riding a wave of momentum that feels like it could power through the walls of the venue.
Who it's for
Show choirs and chamber ensembles looking for a guaranteed audience connection with an arrangement that respects both the source material and their singers' capabilities. Pop and rock choirs will find immediate repertoire value here, and any program needing an energetic, short-duration closer that doesn't compromise musicianship.
How to get the most out of it
- Commit fully to the handclap section at the opening. It sets the pocket and invites your audience into the party before the first note of harmony happens.
- Lock the horn punches with precision. They land hardest when the brass attacks together with no straggling voices underneath.
- Shape the vocal stack as a continuous wave rather than discrete layers. Each voice should feel like it's building momentum into the next entrance.
- Let the final "call" breathe slightly. This moment belongs to your singers' voices alone, and it deserves space to land with full weight.
How to use it
Use this as your finale or second-to-last selection on a pop or oldies themed concert. The 3:25 duration fits perfectly into tight concert schedules while leaving audiences wanting more. The accessibility and immediate recognizability also make it an excellent anchor for recruiting concerts or community performances where you need to signal that your ensemble sings contemporary music with real energy.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining a strong groove while negotiating complex vocal arrangements
- Executing tight entrances and exits within ensemble textures
- Balancing blend with individual voice projection in a mix-heavy arrangement
- Responding to rhythmic precision from instrumental accompaniment
- Sustaining character and energy through repetitive material