Razzamatazz: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Words and music by Andy Beck and Brian Fisher
Item: 00-PO-0000375
$1.75
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
As if written in the ragtime era, this flashy novelty number includes a syncopated melody, a stride piano feature, and a light-hearted air. The nonsensical text opens the door for the rhyme scheme, and whimsical "wee's" crave choreography (available on "Razzamatazz!" DVD, item 00-27430). Terrific in 2-part, and equally appealing for SSA.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0000375
More about this title
About the Composer: Andy Beck
Andy Beck directs choral publications at Alfred Music and has composed and arranged more than 450 choral works, vocal resources, and children's musicals that remain in active use by singers everywhere. His pedagogical materials, including Sing at First Sight, Foundations in Choral Sight Singing, and Vocalize! 45 Vocal Warm-Ups That Teach Technique, have shaped sight-singing instruction across the country.
Beyond publishing, Beck serves regularly as a guest conductor, choreographer, adjudicator, and clinician for music educators and student ensembles throughout the United States and internationally. He has been commissioned by and conducted honor choirs at all levels, including all-state groups across the Southeast. A trained tenor, he performs with the North Carolina Master Chorale Chamber Choir and brings deep experience in musical theatre direction. Beck holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Ithaca College and a Master's degree in Music Education from Northwest Missouri State University.
Why we love this
Beck and Fisher capture authentic ragtime flavor without pastiche; the syncopated lines and stride piano writing feel genuinely playful rather than forced. The nonsense lyrics and whimsical staging cues transform what could be a throwaway novelty into a piece your singers will actually want to perform repeatedly, and audiences will remember.
What to expect
Imagine stepping into a vaudeville stage with winking energy and deliberate silliness. The syncopated lines bounce and shimmy; the stride piano stride chugs along like a player piano spinning a dusty ragtime standard. It's theatrical without being condescending, witty without sacrificing musicality.
Who it's for
Directors of treble choirs, mixed ensembles, and school choirs seeking a high-energy novelty with genuine musical substance. This piece works equally well for groups new to syncopation and for experienced singers who appreciate the nostalgic humor and tight writing.
How to get the most out of it
- Isolate the syncopated melody in rehearsal using just the piano accompaniment first, then layer voices once the rhythm feels secure. The ragtime style demands precise rhythmic placement rather than smooth legit singing.
- Encourage crisp articulation on the "wee's" throughout; these moments are comedic only if they land with sharp clarity and the singers commit to the choreography with confidence.
- Balance the stride piano feature so it remains conversational with the choir rather than overpowering. This allows the humor and text clarity to shine.
- Record a quick run-through early in rehearsal to help singers hear how the syncopation sits against a steady beat; many will benefit from this aural reference before independent performance.
How to use it
Open a spring or winter concert with this piece to set an upbeat, accessible tone and warm the audience immediately. It pairs well alongside more substantial repertoire, offering a palette cleanser that reminds singers and listeners why choral music can be joyful and unpretentious.
Skills your students will build
- Syncopated rhythm reading and accurate rhythmic placement in a jazz/ragtime idiom
- Understanding stride piano technique and how to match choral phrasing to its rhythmic profile
- Coordinating movement and staging cues with vocal precision
- Crisp articulation and comedic timing in text delivery