Potato Chips (arr. Roger Emerson): 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo

Lighthearted and confident, with a winking nod to popular culture. The rhythmic energy bounces along with a casual groove, making it feel more like a conversation among friends than a formal performance piece. There's genuine warmth beneath the wit.

Intermediate to advanced middle school and high school choirs looking for contemporary repertoire with broad appeal. This works especially well for groups with a healthy sense of humor and comfort with jazz inflections. It's a solid choice when you want something current and fun without sacrificing musicianship.

• Establish the groove early in rehearsal by clapping the rhythmic figure as a group before singing; this grounds everyone in the jazz sensibility that drives the piece.
• Let the lyrical content guide your interpretation. Commit to the lighter tone without losing precision in the attacks and releases.
• Balance the three parts carefully so no line dominates the texture. Rotate which section leads during sectionals to build sensitivity to blend.
• Record a rough take-through once you've run it a few times. Singers often hear their own part most clearly and benefit from hearing what the chord sounds like in context.

Pair this with other contemporary pop or jazz arrangements to create a thematic section of your concert, or slot it in as a palate cleanser between heavier classical works. The nine pages fit comfortably into a mixed program and work particularly well at spring or showcase concerts where audience engagement matters.

• Jazz phrasing and swing feel in a choral context
• Rhythmic independence across three parts
• Stylistic flexibility and interpretation of contemporary popular music
• Part-singing with attention to blend and balance
• Communication of textual meaning through vocal tone and dynamics