Splish Splash: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

This arrangement captures what made the original irresistible while landing squarely in your singers' world. Teena Chinn has preserved the infectious bounce of the '50s original while modernizing the sound in ways that feel fresh to contemporary choirs. Programming it alongside other pop standards or as a high-energy concert finale gives you a piece that genuinely connects with young singers and audiences alike.

Splish Splash radiates pure joy and rhythmic bounce. The arrangement channels mid-century pop cheerfulness while the recorded accompaniment keeps the arrangement grounded in its era, giving singers a sonic foundation that feels both nostalgic and alive. Singing this piece should feel like stepping into a dance party where everyone knows the song.

This octavo works for mixed choirs at the secondary level and beyond, particularly ensembles looking for repertoire that energizes singers and audiences alike. It suits groups performing pop concerts, musical theatre collaborations, or mixed programs where you need an undeniable crowd-pleaser that doesn't compromise musical quality.

• Lean into the swing feel of the eighth notes; resist the urge to make them straight. The recorded accompaniment demonstrates this rhythmic lilt, so listen through it several times before rehearsal.
• Keep the energy consistent from verse through chorus. Many choirs rush or lose momentum during the repeated sections. Use the SoundTrax CD as a steady-tempo reference.
• Balance clarity of text with the fun of the vocal line. These lyrics work best when audiences hear them crisply but without artificiality.
• Encourage singers to commit physically to the piece. This arrangement invites gesture and movement, so allow rehearsal time for ensemble to find a unified approach to where the music naturally wants to breathe.

Plant this as your finale or late-concert peak. Its familiarity and energy make it ideal for audiences who might not know your choir, and singers will build momentum leading into it. You might also pair it with other pop standards from the Alfred series to create a cohesive pop set, or use it as a bridge between a classical first half and a contemporary second half.

• Singing with a swing rhythm and stylistic lilt in eighth notes
• Maintaining rhythmic precision with a recorded accompaniment
• Balancing ensemble cohesion in rhythmically driven material
• Interpreting and performing pop genre conventions with musicality