Ladies' Choice (from the movie Hairspray): Score: Choral SoundPax
From the Motion Picture Hairspray
Music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman / arr. Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PR-0001320
$8.00
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Description
Don't miss this hard-driving and raucous hit from the movie Hairspray, perfect for men's concert and show choirs. Opens with a rockin' solo with male back-ups. Take this one out for a test drive! Includes parts for alto sax., baritone sax., 2 trumpet, trombone, and rhythm.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Ladies' Choice (from the movie Hairspray): Score: 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:
32
SKU:
00-PR-0001320
Instrumentation:
SoundPax
More about this title
About the Composer: Marc Shaiman
Marc Shaiman has composed for Broadway, film, and television with a gift for rhythmic vitality and populist appeal. His work on Hairspray (both stage and film versions) showcases his skill at writing music that feels simultaneously sophisticated and immediately joyful, rooted in doo-wop and rock and roll traditions while remaining thoroughly accessible to performers and audiences alike.
Shaiman's scores are known for their theatrical energy and memorable melodic hooks. He writes with deep knowledge of ensemble voicing and understands how to craft moments that allow singers to shine individually while maintaining group cohesion, making his music particularly rewarding for choral programs.
Why we love this
Jay Althouse's arrangement captures all the swagger and fun of the original without sacrificing musical integrity. The built-in staging and movement cues make rehearsal streamlined, and the included band parts (sax, trumpet, trombone, rhythm) give your men's choir the full rock-and-roll production feel that makes this number soar. It's the kind of piece that energizes an entire concert and leaves audiences grinning.
What to expect
Raucous, playful, and unapologetically fun. The opening solo sets an irreverent tone that the male back-ups amplify with layered harmony and rhythmic drive, giving the whole arrangement a swaggering confidence. Hairspray's doo-wop roots run through the harmonic language, creating a sound that's both retro and undeniably contemporary.
Who it's for
Men's choirs and mixed ensembles with a strong tenor section for the opening solo. The piece works especially well for high school and college choirs looking for novelty material with theatrical flair and a contemporary rock sensibility. Directors seeking music that combines accessibility with genuine musicianship will find this rewarding.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the groove early in rehearsal by having the rhythm section lock in together first, then layer voices on top. The hard-driving quality depends on rhythmic precision, not just volume.
- The rockin' solo requires a singer with confidence and attitude. Cast someone who commits fully to the character, even if their range or power isn't huge; personality sells this number.
- Use the recorded accompaniment during early rehearsals to cement the arrangement's style and phrasing, then transition to live band rehearsals to build ensemble communication.
- Stage movement should feel natural and playful rather than choreographed. Work with your staging notes to keep the energy high without pulling focus from the singing.
How to use it
Program this as a cornerstone novelty number in a concert centered on pop and rock repertoire, or use it as a standalone showstopper that shifts the energy in a mixed program. The included staging makes it ideal for a spring concert or a program built around musical theatre, and the theatrical nature works well as a bridge between traditional choral repertoire and contemporary popular music.
Skills your students will build
- Rhythmic precision in rock-influenced harmonic contexts
- Solo confidence and character commitment in an ensemble setting
- Balance between ensemble blend and individual voice clarity
- Interpretation of marked dynamics and articulation in a pop idiom
- Communication with instrumental ensemble members in a band-choir collaboration