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Listen to the Music: SAB Choral Octavo

Words and music by Tom Johnston / arr. Kirby Shaw

Item: 00-PO-0003452

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Description
With an infectious hook and great horn riffs, this 1972 classic peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. Usually the final encore during all The Doobie Brothers' concerts, this message of hope is still relevant today.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 16
SKU: 00-PO-0003452

More about this title

About the Composer: Tom Johnston

Tom Johnston co-founded The Doobie Brothers in 1970 and served as the band's primary songwriter and guitarist throughout their most commercially successful era. His gift for crafting memorable hooks and uplifting melodies defined the group's signature sound and earned them multiple Grammy nominations. Johnston's compositions continue to resonate with audiences across generations, cementing his place in American rock history.

Why we love this

This arrangement captures everything that made the original a radio staple: an irresistible melodic hook, bright energy, and a genuinely optimistic message that lands without sentimentality. The SAB voicing sits comfortably across mixed ensembles while keeping the horn riff lines accessible, and the recorded accompaniment lets you focus rehearsal time on vocal blend rather than rhythm section precision.

What to expect

Sunshine and optimism wrapped in a groove that makes you move. The arrangement sparkles with pop sensibility while maintaining genuine choral writing that lets singers feel the joy of ensemble work. There's a lightness here that never slides into novelty; this is serious fun.

Who it's for

Mixed choirs at the intermediate level and above will find this rewarding. It works equally well for high school ensembles, community choirs, and adult recreational groups looking for repertoire with crossover appeal beyond traditional choral literature.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lock the rhythmic precision early. The infectious groove depends on confident, unified attacks and releases, especially in the ensemble sections.
  • Balance the melody prominently but let the horn riff parts sing their own line. These countermelodies give the arrangement its textural interest.
  • Use the recorded accompaniment to internalize the groove before rehearsing without it. This builds confidence in younger or less experienced singers.
  • Keep the tempo energized but not rushed. The original sits around 112 BPM; resist the urge to speed up as excitement builds.

How to use it

Perfect as a closing concert selection or an encore that sends the audience out smiling. It also works beautifully in pop-focused programs or celebrations where you want to bridge contemporary musical taste with choral artistry. The familiarity of the tune lowers barriers for audiences who might be intimidated by traditional choral repertoire.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing with rhythmic precision in contemporary pop styles
  • Balancing melody and countermelody within ensemble texture
  • Sustaining energy and pitch in syncopated rhythmic contexts
  • Interpreting text with conversational musicality rather than operatic phrasing

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