Rhythm Is Gonna Get You: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Eric VanCleave captures the propulsive energy of the original recording while keeping the arrangement accessible and fun for show choirs. The syncopated rhythms and pop-inflected harmonies give singers real musical meat to sink their teeth into without requiring advanced technique. A recorded accompaniment transforms rehearsal into a party.

Infectious and propulsive. The piece moves with the kind of relentless forward momentum that defined 1980s pop production, filled with rhythmic momentum and bright harmonic color. Singers feel the pulse throughout their bodies, and audiences can't help but move.

Show choirs and competitive choral programs looking for contemporary pop repertoire that energizes audiences and engages singers in modern groove-based writing. High schools with strong rhythmic confidence will thrive with this material; directors should assess ensemble rhythmic maturity before selecting it.

• Lock in the groove with the rhythm section from the first read. The backbeat is relentless, and your intonation will follow your rhythmic precision.
• Treat the layered vocal lines as instrumental colors rather than traditional choral blend. Each section has its own percussive articulation.
• Lean into the recorded accompaniment during rehearsal; it teaches the exact pocket and energy you're aiming for, especially in the rhythmic hits.

Program this as a high-energy opener or closer on a pops concert or show choir set. It pairs well with other contemporary pop standards and works particularly well when you want to showcase your ensemble's rhythmic precision and showmanship.

• Syncopated rhythm reading and execution in a pop context
• Rhythmic independence while singing layered vocal parts
• Stylistic interpretation of groove-based contemporary music
• Intonation in a rhythmically driven ensemble setting