I Just Wanna Be Happy Cover Image

I Just Wanna Be Happy: Choral SoundPax

$50.00 USD
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I Just Wanna Be Happy Cover Image

I Just Wanna Be Happy: Choral SoundPax

Words and music by Lawrence P. Dermer / arr. Eric Van Cleave

Item: 00-DIGPX00056

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Description
Upbeat, rhythmic, and joy-filled all describe this classic Gloria Estefan hit. Perfect for choreography, this arrangement creates that boiling point when the audience and performers all overflow with excitement.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, I Just Wanna Be Happy: Choral SoundPax comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 40
UPC: 038081530970
SKU: 00-DIGPX00056
Instrumentation: SoundPax

More about this title

Why we love this

Eric Van Cleave's arrangement captures the infectious propulsive energy of Estefan's original while building it specifically for choral voices and the SoundPax accompaniment format. The rhythmic precision required keeps ensembles tight and engaged, and the written-in moments of buildup reward rehearsal time with genuine dramatic payoff. Directors who want a secular pop selection that actually works for choreography (rather than just sitting still and singing) will find the musical architecture here genuinely supports movement from the ground up.

What to expect

Effervescent and relentless. The arrangement maintains a boiling, kinetic energy throughout, driven by rhythmic precision and layered voices that build momentum toward moments of explosive collective joy. This is music designed to make both singers and audiences feel the lightness of the title's promise.

Who it's for

Choirs with solid rhythmic literacy and the ability to execute syncopated pop writing cleanly. The 40-page length and SoundPax accompaniment format mean this works well for intermediate to advanced high school choirs, community choirs comfortable with contemporary styles, and any ensemble that wants a secular pop standard with genuine theatrical potential.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lock the rhythmic foundation in the rhythm section parts before adding melody lines; the syncopated elements rely on absolute clarity in the accompaniment to sit correctly.
  • Map out the dynamic shape across the full 40 pages early in rehearsal so singers understand where the piece is heading and can sustain energy through the middle section.
  • If choreographing, start movement vocabulary during learning rehearsals rather than after sections are learned, since the rhythm will feel different once bodies are involved.
  • Balance the recorded accompaniment so it supports rather than overpowers; this arrangement thrives when singers feel they're driving the groove, not following it.

How to use it

Pair this with other uptempo pop or contemporary secular selections for a second-half set that keeps audiences engaged and energized. It also serves as an excellent closer or as a spring concert centerpiece where choreography and staging can elevate the visual dimension. The accessibility of the Estefan catalog means audiences connect immediately, making this a strong choice when you want strong attendance and genuine enthusiasm from listeners.

Skills your students will build

  • Syncopated rhythmic reading and execution in pop idiom
  • Layered voicing and blend within a contemporary arrangement
  • Sustained energy and dynamic control across extended sectional forms
  • Coordination of rhythm section parts with choral lines
  • Movement integration with rhythmic singing

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