Rock Around The Clock (arr. Jon Nicholas): TTBB Choral Octavo
Rock Around The Clock (arr. Jon Nicholas) Sheet Music Preview

Rock Around The Clock (arr. Jon Nicholas): TTBB Choral Octavo

By Max C. Freedman Jimmy DeKnight / By Jimmy DeKnight / By Max C. Freedman / Arranged by Jon Nicholas

Item: 35-DS00472534
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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 7
SKU: 35-DS00472534

More about this title

About the Composer: Max C. Freedman Jimmy DeKnight

Max C. Freedman and Jimmy DeKnight wrote one of rock and roll's earliest and most enduring standards. Their 1953 composition became a cultural phenomenon, covered by Bill Haley and the Comets and countless artists across genres. The song's infectious energy and simple, memorable hook made it a cornerstone of early rock music and a staple of popular music education.

For choral directors, this composition represents a bridge between classic American songwriting and contemporary ensemble repertoire. Its accessibility and recognizable melody make it an ideal vehicle for teaching arrangement techniques and engaging singers in rock idioms without sacrificing musical substance.

Why we love this

Jon Nicholas has crafted an arrangement that captures the propulsive energy of the original while giving each voice part genuine melodic interest. The flexible voicing options (TB/TTB/TBB/TTBB) mean you can program this with virtually any ensemble size, and the 7-page score feels substantial enough for rehearsal without requiring weeks of preparation.

What to expect

From the opening downbeat, this arrangement radiates Saturday night energy: propulsive, joyful, and impossible to resist. The melody sits naturally in the voice, the harmonies support without complicating, and the underlying groove makes singers want to move.

Who it's for

Male singers of all levels will find this arrangement accessible and fun. It works equally well for high school choirs building confidence with rock idioms, college groups seeking an encore number, and community ensembles wanting something familiar that still demands musicality.

How to get the most out of it

  • Keep the rhythmic drive consistent throughout. Lock the accompaniment track's tempo early in rehearsals so singers develop an instinctive feel for the groove rather than fighting against the beat.
  • Shape the dynamic arc across verses and choruses to prevent the tune from becoming static. The repetitive nature of the melody rewards careful attention to phrasing and breath placement.
  • Balance the harmonic layers so the lower voices support rather than overshadow the top line. With flexible voicing, check how your specific combination distributes weight across registers.

How to use it

This is perfect concert material for spring concerts or any program needing a crowd-pleasing moment without sacrificing credibility. It pairs well alongside standards from the American songbook or as a contemporary anchor in a program mixing eras. The arrangement's efficiency makes it ideal for adding to a concert set late in the season when rehearsal time is limited.

Skills your students will build

  • Maintaining rhythmic precision in a groove-based arrangement
  • Singing rock and pop idioms with proper diction and phrasing
  • Balancing harmony parts within a flexible voicing structure
  • Understanding call-and-response and repetitive melodic structures
  • Interpreting dynamic contrast to prevent melodic monotony

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