I Go To Rio (from The Boy From Oz) (arr. Ryan O'Connell): SATB Choral Octavo

Ryan O'Connell's arrangement captures the effervescent spirit of this Peter Allen classic while remaining genuinely singable for high school and community choirs. The Latin rhythmic foundation gives ensembles something rhythmically engaging to anchor their ensemble work, and the pop sensibility makes this a natural fit for concerts that need contemporary material with real theatrical flair.

Warm, energetic, and unabashedly joyful. The Latin groove creates propulsive forward motion while the melody soars with the kind of optimistic buoyancy that makes singers want to perform it again and again. There's a sensuality beneath the brightness that rewards thoughtful phrasing.

High school and community choirs seeking contemporary Broadway material with rhythmic sophistication and accessible voicing. This works equally well for concert choirs wanting to include musical theatre in a mixed program or for show choirs drawn to the Pop/Latin genre.

• Keep the Latin percussion texture light and clear in rehearsals by having singers internalize the clave pattern before tackling the full arrangement; this anchors all ensemble precision.
• Balance the upper voices carefully during sections with divided soprano and alto lines to maintain clarity without letting them dominate the harmonic texture.
• Shape the melody with genuine legato even as the Latin rhythm drives underneath; the song's emotional core lies in the sing-ability of the vocal line, not the percussive accompaniment.

This works brilliantly as a concert opener or closer on programs mixing classical and contemporary repertoire; the upbeat energy lifts audiences while the Broadway pedigree lends sophistication. It pairs well alongside other musical theatre selections or as a bridge piece between a classical set and lighter pop or folk arrangements.

• Latin rhythm fundamentals and clave awareness
• Balancing harmonic texture in divided SATB writing
• Connecting to contemporary musical theatre repertoire
• Shaping pop-influenced melodic lines with legit vocal technique
• Ensemble precision with rhythmic accompaniment patterns