Mr. Bojangles (arr. Roel Griffioen): SMATBarB Choral Octavo

Roel Griffioen's arrangement opens up this Sammy Davis Jr. classic to modern choral ensembles without losing the song's inherent warmth and character. The SMATBarB voicing gives choirs genuine independence in all five parts, making it rewarding for both experienced and developing singers.

Mr. Bojangles carries a reflective, almost nostalgic quality even as the arrangement's contemporary handling keeps it fresh and immediate. There's dignity in the melody and a kind of quiet celebration running through the harmonies, creating space for emotional authenticity without demanding operatic grandeur.

This works beautifully for secondary choirs, community ensembles, and college groups seeking a concert piece that combines storytelling depth with accessible musicianship. The arrangement's straightforward harmonic language and moderate range make it approachable, while the five-part writing offers enough sophistication to engage strong singers.

• Establish the rhythm and shuffle feel early in rehearsal. This arrangement sits somewhere between spoken storytelling and sung melody, so precision in the ensemble's rhythmic foundation matters more than perfect intonation at first.
• Let the arrangement breathe. The narrative arc of Mr. Bojangles builds gradually, so resist the urge to push volume or tempo in the opening sections.
• Balance the harmonic voices carefully, especially in sustained passages. The five-part writing creates rich sonorities that can blur if one section overpowers the others.
• Consider the emotional weight of the lyrical content. Bojangles is a tribute to resilience and grace under hardship, and your singers should understand that context before rehearsal begins.

Include this in a concert exploring songs about resilience, or pair it with other humanistic repertoire that values character-driven storytelling. Its moderate length and secular nature make it flexible within mixed programming, and it works equally well as a concert closer that leaves audiences thoughtful.

• Reading five-part extended harmonic structures
• Maintaining rhythmic independence while supporting ensemble blend
• Connecting lyrical content to interpretive choices
• Balancing articulation across sustained passages