Live in Living Color: SAB Choral Octavo

This arrangement captures the infectious energy and theatrical punch of a Broadway opening number while remaining fully accessible to three-part mixed ensembles. Eric Van Cleave's orchestration preserves Shaiman's melodic gift and rhythmic drive, creating a piece that sings beautifully but also begs for movement and visual staging, making it an ideal choice for choirs that want fun without sacrificing musicality.

Energy ripples through the room from the opening note. This is music that moves you forward, with a polished Broadway sheen and the kind of melodic confidence that makes singers feel like they're part of something sparkling and alive. The character is celebratory and assured, demanding commitment but rewarding it with a genuine sense of showmanship.

This piece is ideal for advanced high school choirs, community theater ensembles, and college choirs seeking contemporary repertoire with immediate theatrical appeal. Singers need secure sight-reading skills and the ability to lock into a contemporary rhythmic feel; the SAB voicing accommodates varied voice types without compromising the arrangement's impact.

• Attend to the rhythmic precision in the opening statement. This piece thrives on crisp articulation and ensemble lock; the 'hard-hitting' character depends on everyone landing hits together.
• Explore the recorded accompaniment during initial rehearsals to cement tempos and rhythmic feel, but encourage singers to internalize the groove so they perform with confidence rather than reliance.
• Plan choreography early and integrate it into sectional rehearsals rather than as a later addition. The staging should feel purposeful and integral to the music's momentum, not tacked on.

Open a concert with this number and set an immediate tone of joy and theatrical sophistication. It pairs well alongside other contemporary choral repertoire and serves as a natural anchor for a pops or musical theater themed program, or as a standout moment in a more eclectic season.

• Rhythmic precision and ensemble coordination in contemporary styles
• Balancing legit singing technique with contemporary vocal character
• Integrating choreography and movement with singing
• Sight-reading in three-part voicing with syncopated rhythmic patterns