On the Right Track (from Pippin): Piano/Vocal/Chords

Schwartz's Pippin score balances accessibility with real harmonic sophistication, and this newly-engraved edition with the composer's own revisions ensures you have the definitive version. The addition of "On the Right Track" to this collection, along with updated lyrics and arrangements, gives singers and pianists material that reflects the energy of the 2013 revival without sacrificing the intimacy these songs demand in a practice or recital setting.

Pippin's score captures the whimsy and philosophical searching of a medieval prince's journey with music that feels both timeless and distinctly theatrical. These songs move easily between whimsy and genuine emotion, from the bouncing energy of "Magic to Do" to the tender vulnerability of "With You," creating a score that rewards performers who can shift tone and intention from moment to moment.

Singers preparing Pippin material for auditions, recitals, or classroom performance will find these thirteen songs fully realized with complete piano accompaniment and chord symbols. Pianists accompanying vocalists benefit from the direct consultation with Schwartz reflected in these revised arrangements. Music theater students and teachers building a contemporary musical theater repertoire collection will appreciate having the definitive Broadway version at hand.

• Study the chord symbols carefully; Schwartz often layers unexpected harmonic movements that reward a pianist who pays attention to the bass line and interior voices, especially in slower ballads like "Morning Glow."
• Approach the comedic numbers like "No Time at All" and "Simple Joys" with rhythmic precision and clarity; the humor lands hardest when the accompaniment is steady and the singer can play with the phrasing.
• In "With You," allow the vocal line room to breathe over the piano part; resist the urge to fill every silence, letting the intimacy of the moment speak for itself.
• Use the score's dynamic markings and tempo indications as a foundation, but remember that Schwartz wrote these songs for storytelling, so adjust your pacing to serve what the character needs in each moment.

Program individual songs as standalone recital pieces; "Simple Joys," "With You," and "Morning Glow" work especially well in solo voice recitals. In a music theater survey or history class, these songs illustrate Schwartz's songwriting craft across comedic, romantic, and introspective styles. Alternatively, assemble a medley or mini-revue of Pippin material for a spring concert, letting students explore the score's range without mounting a full production.

• Reading and interpreting chord symbols in a jazz-influenced pop idiom
• Coordinating vocal phrasing with piano accompaniment that doesn't always align with the beat
• Shifting between comedic timing and emotional authenticity within a single score
• Understanding how harmony and melody interact in contemporary musical theater songwriting