Get Up, Get Down, Get Funky, Get Loose: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

Eric Van Cleave's arrangement brings the irresistible groove of this classic to life in a way that works beautifully for mixed choirs without sacrificing any of the original's funk and swagger. The arrangement balances accessibility with enough textural interest to keep singers engaged, and the SoundTrax accompaniment captures the full, propulsive energy of the original recording. Audiences respond immediately to this kind of material, and your singers will feel the satisfaction of performing something genuinely fun that also demands solid musicianship.

The piece radiates infectious energy and confidence. Syncopated grooves sit underneath singable, memorable melodies, creating a sound that feels celebratory without being trivial. There's a playfulness in the lyrical content paired with the precision required to nail the rhythmic figures, giving singers the chance to have fun while demonstrating real musical control.

Mixed choirs seeking contemporary pop material that combines immediate appeal with genuine rhythmic and harmonic substance. This works equally well in concert settings, community performances, and show choirs looking for a crowd-pleasing number with real musicality.

• Treat the rhythm section as your anchor. Lock the pulse with your bass and percussion parts before layering in the upper voices; this piece thrives on a locked, confident pocket.
• Shape phrases around the lyrical content rather than the bar line. The conversational, call-and-response nature of this piece gives singers room to breathe and land important words naturally.
• Invest in the dynamics. The original recording's appeal comes partly from its dynamic contrast between sections. Don't let the whole piece sit at one volume level.
• Balance the recorded accompaniment carefully in rehearsal and performance. It's full and present, so your choir needs to sing with confidence and precision to sit properly on top of it.

Program this toward the end of a concert where you want to shift the mood toward something lighter and more energetic, or use it as an opener if you're building into a high-energy second half. It pairs well with other classic soul and funk material from the era, or it can stand alone as a refreshing change of pace on a varied program.

• Syncopated rhythm reading and execution
• Maintaining independent vocal lines while locking into an ensemble groove
• Stylistically informed phrasing in pop and funk idioms
• Rhythmic precision in the context of recorded accompaniment