Show People: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Fred Ebb / By John Kander / By Rupert Holmes / Arranged by Mac Huff
Item: 35-PK00047057
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About the Composer: Fred Ebb
Fred Ebb was a legendary lyricist whose collaborations with composer John Kander produced some of Broadway's most enduring scores. The Kander-Ebb partnership gave us "Cabaret," "Chicago," and "Follies," among others, establishing a house style known for sharp wit, sophisticated harmonies, and lyrics that cut straight to character and emotion. Ebb's theatrical sensibility shaped generations of musical theater writers who learned from his precision and his refusal to settle for sentiment when cynicism or irony would serve the story better.
Late in his career, Ebb collaborated with John Kander and lyricist Rupert Holmes on "Curtains," a musical about a Broadway murder mystery. Even in this later work, Ebb's fingerprints remain unmistakable: the song reaches for genuine showmanship while maintaining the theatrical intelligence his name had always guaranteed.
Why we love this
Mac Huff's arrangement captures the propulsive energy of a classic showstopper without requiring your ensemble to execute anything beyond their reach. The Kander-Ebb sound translates beautifully to choral forces, and this particular number gives singers a genuine Broadway moment to sink their teeth into rather than a watered-down approximation.
What to expect
Bright, confident, and unapologetically theatrical. The piece radiates the kind of energy that makes audiences sit up and pay attention, with harmonic sophistication that keeps musicians engaged across multiple rehearsals. You're performing a moment of genuine showmanship here, not just singing a song.
Who it's for
Directors programming concerts that need a genuine showpiece with Broadway credentials and solid arranging craft. This works equally well for mixed choirs, chamber ensembles, or community theaters looking for a number that feels authentic without being pretentious.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the forward momentum consistent from the opening; this number lives in the space between sung and performed, so commit fully to the theatrical delivery without sacrificing musical precision.
- Balance the vocal weight carefully so the arrangement's harmonic sophistication doesn't get buried under volume; clarity of the inner parts makes the whole thing land harder.
- Work the dynamic shapes deliberately rather than building indiscriminately toward climaxes; Huff's orchestration already does much of the work for you.
How to use it
Position this as a concert centerpiece or act one closer where you need something that lands with immediate impact. The Broadway pedigree and Huff's skilled writing make it equally at home in a "Great American Songbook" program or a mixed concert where you're balancing classical repertoire with contemporary material.
Skills your students will build
- Performing with theatrical conviction without sacrificing musical accuracy
- Managing inner harmonic parts in densely voiced ensemble writing
- Sustaining character and energy across a showpiece-length number
- Articulation and rhythmic precision in syncopated material