Get Ready/Dancing In The Street (from Motown The Musical): SAB Choral Octavo

Emerson captures the infectious energy of these Motown classics without overcomplicating the SAB texture. The arrangement honors the call and response character of the originals while keeping the part writing accessible, making this a standout choice when you want your singers to feel like performers from the moment they open their folders.

Pure joy and movement. These arrangements pulse with the unmistakable Motown swagger and call and response urgency that made the originals irresistible. Your singers will feel the groove in their bodies from the first rehearsal.

Intermediate to advanced high school choirs and adult ensembles looking to program recognizable, high-energy pop repertoire. SAB voicing makes this accessible to mixed groups with developing altos while preserving the excitement of the source material.

• Lean into the rhythmic precision of the accompaniment; the groove lives in tight articulation of the syllables and clear diction on repeated figures.
• Allow the soloists to breathe and own their moments, especially during call and response sections. The ensemble should lock in as a cohesive unit behind them.
• Balance the harmonies carefully in the SAB voicing so that the middle part (alto) carries its melodic weight without disappearing under the sopranos.
• Capture the spirit of the original recordings by encouraging a lighter, rhythmic tone quality rather than a classical legit sound.

Perfect for a concert celebrating American popular music or pairing with other Motown material. The two songs work as a strong finale or upbeat penultimate number that lands well with audiences of all ages.

• Rhythmic precision in pop and R&B styles
• Call and response singing and awareness
• Diction clarity in rhythmically driven contexts
• Blend and balance within SAB voicing
• Interpretive choices in non-classical genres