Summer Vacation (Will Be Here Soon): Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Althouse knows what middle and high school choirs need to perform, and this novelty number delivers entertainment without sacrificing musicality. The movement and staging options mean you can take it as seriously or playfully as your concert context allows, making it equally effective in a formal spring concert or a fun end-of-year assembly. The SoundTrax accompaniment is a professional-quality reference that helps singers lock the melody and keeps rehearsals moving forward.

This is the musical equivalent of a sunny afternoon without responsibilities. The piece captures the genuine joy of watching the school year wind down, with a lightness and forward motion that feels celebratory rather than saccharine.

Choirs at the middle school and high school levels will find this piece accessible and immediately engaging. The novelty theme and built-in staging make it especially appealing for groups looking for programming that builds morale while maintaining musical growth.

• Reference the recorded accompaniment during individual section rehearsals so singers internalize the harmonic context before running the piece with full choir.
• Block out the movement and staging elements early in rehearsal rather than tacking them on at the end. Singers who know their choreography sing with more confidence and energy.
• Encourage singers to commit fully to the novelty character of the piece without pushing into parody. The humor lands cleanest when the vocal line is solidly sung.
• Use the SoundTrax to establish a steady tempo reference for concert week, especially helpful if you plan to perform without accompaniment in some contexts.

Use this as an opener or closer on a spring concert to set a warm, accessible tone for the audience. It also works perfectly in end-of-year concerts, pops programs, or assemblies where you want to showcase your choir's personality alongside traditional repertoire.

• Following recorded accompaniment cues and maintaining ensemble blend with an external audio source
• Coordination of singing with choreography and staged movement
• Ensemble balance within a novelty arrangement
• Stylistic flexibility and expression within a contemporary, theatrical context