Live in Living Color: Choral SoundPax

Eric Van Cleave's arrangement captures the infectious energy and theatrical style of the original while making it singable and choreographable for high school and community choirs. The SoundPax format gives you flexibility in orchestration without requiring a full pit band, and the memorable melodic content means students will actually enjoy rehearsing this piece repeatedly as you build choreography. It's the kind of opener that builds genuine momentum and sets a confident tone for a concert.

Bright, propulsive, and unapologetically fun. The piece carries the swagger of a Broadway curtain-raiser, with driving accompaniment that propels the singers forward and a melodic line that's catchy without being trivial. There's joy and confidence in every measure, the kind of energy that audiences recognize immediately as the start of something entertaining.

High school and community choirs looking for a Broadway-style opening number with immediate audience appeal. This works equally well for concert choirs with prior theatrical experience and for groups new to staged choral music, since the arrangement balances theatrical flair with musical accessibility.

• Secure the rhythmic foundation early by locking the SoundPax accompaniment with your rhythm section during initial rehearsals; once the ensemble feels secure in the groove, you can focus on dynamic shaping and vocal balance.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to establish the intended tempo and stylistic character, then gradually transition to live playing once your ensemble owns the material musically.
• Stage the choreography in smaller units before combining all movements with full singing; this prevents singers from losing breath control or pitch accuracy during the most exposed vocal moments.
• Layer the arrangement's dynamic contrast by rehearsing each voice part separately first, then bringing sections together to ensure the harmonies support rather than obscure the main melodic line.

Open a concert or musical revue with this piece; its theatrical personality and built-in choreography potential make it ideal for festival performances, pops programs, or variety shows. Alternatively, program it as a transition moment between concert pieces and your larger staged work, using it to shift the audience's mood and energy before moving into the main production.

• Performing with syncopated rhythms and contemporary groove-based accompaniment
• Connecting choreography to vocal technique without sacrificing pitch or breathing
• Balancing ensemble blend while maintaining character and theatrical delivery
• Reading and responding to a recorded accompaniment as a rehearsal and performance tool