Showtime!: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Althouse writes for the singers you actually have, not the singers you wish you had. The modest vocal ranges and strategic unison passages mean everyone sounds confident while the part writing ensures no one feels sidelined. The speech choir section and theatrical energy make this an immediate crowd-pleaser that transforms a concert opener from obligatory into genuinely memorable.

Showtime! radiates Broadway sparkle with contemporary harmonic writing that feels fresh rather than dated. The piece grabs attention immediately and sustains momentum through contrasts between solid ensemble writing and moments where all voices lock into unison, building an infectious sense of celebration that's hard to resist.

Choirs of mixed experience levels who need a concert opener that energizes both the singers and the audience. This works equally well for high school groups, community choirs, and collegiate ensembles looking for a palette cleanser or finale spot that leaves people smiling.

• Lean into the showbiz style with clear diction in the speech choir section; this isn't about beauty of tone but punch and precision.
• Use the SoundTrax accompaniment in rehearsals to lock the rhythmic drive, then gradually reduce it as singers internalize the groove.
• Balance the strong unison passages against the part writing by differentiating dynamics and articulation between sections; let the unison moments breathe as a moment of unity.
• Treat the lyrical content with theatrical commitment rather than concert hall restraint; this piece asks singers to have fun, and that permission is liberating.

This is your concert opener when you need immediate connection with your audience. Program it before a contrasting set of slower pieces to establish energy and goodwill, or use it as a finale to send people out smiling. Its modest ranges and accessible style make it ideal for programs that mix experienced and newer singers.

• Executing a rhythmically precise speech choir section with group diction
• Balancing unison melody against part-written accompaniment
• Singing with theatrical commitment and stylistic awareness appropriate to popular music idioms
• Sustaining energy and precision across contrasting textural sections