That's Entertainment: Choral Octavo SoundPax
Words by Howard Dietz, music by Arthur Schwartz / arr. Alan Billingsley
Item: 00-PK-0009428
$30.00
One moment…
Related Items
That's Entertainment: SATB Choral Octavo |
$2.45
|
View | |
That's Entertainment: SAB Choral Octavo |
$2.45
|
View | |
That's Entertainment: 2-Part Choral Octavo |
$2.45
|
View | |
That's Entertainment: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download |
$29.99
|
View | |
That's Entertainment: SATB Choral Octavo |
$2.45
|
View | |
That's Entertainment: SAB Choral Octavo |
$2.45
|
View | |
That's Entertainment: 2-Part Choral Octavo |
$2.45
|
View | |
That's Entertainment: Choral SoundTrax CD |
$29.99
|
View | |
That's Entertainment: Choral Octavo SoundPax |
$30.00
|
View |
Description
Lady Gaga released her cover of this showbiz standard on Harlequin, a companion album to the film Joker: Folie à Deux. Opening with a short spotlight solo and then breaking into a bouncy Broadway 2-beat, this theatrical arrangement is sure to thrill choirs of all ages! This stage-worthy opener, finale, or concert theme song craves choreo, including even a kick-line toward the rousing finish. Don't miss the spectacular orchestration on our pizazzy SoundTrax and SoundPax accompaniment.
That's Entertainment: Choral Octavo SoundPax isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PK-0009428
More about this title
About the Composer: Howard Dietz
Howard Dietz (1896-1983) was a lyricist and librettist who shaped the sound of Broadway and Hollywood during the Golden Age of American musical theater. Working primarily with composer Arthur Schwartz, Dietz crafted sophisticated, witty lyrics for stage productions and film scores that balanced intellectual humor with emotional directness. His contributions to the Great American Songbook remain cornerstones of the theatrical repertoire, prized for their melodic memorability and clever wordplay.
Dietz's career spanned both coasts: he was instrumental in building MGM's publicity department while simultaneously writing some of Broadway's most enduring musical comedies. His ability to write for diverse contexts—from intimate revues to lavish film productions—made him one of the most versatile lyricists of his era. "That's Entertainment" exemplifies his gift for capturing the essence of showbiz spectacle in language that feels fresh decades later.
Why we love this
Billingsley's arrangement captures the infectious energy of a Broadway curtain-raiser while remaining genuinely singable for mixed choirs. The bouncy 2-beat pulse and built-in choreography cues make this work as an engaging concert moment regardless of ensemble age or experience level. The recorded accompaniment lets directors focus on staging and performance nuance rather than wrestling with complex harmonic support.
What to expect
A backstage moment right before the curtain rises, full of anticipation and joy. The 2-beat rhythm bounces with vaudeville charm while the text celebrates the magic of live performance itself, creating an infectious optimism that energizes both singers and audience.
Who it's for
Choirs seeking an accessible opener or closer with immediate theatrical appeal. The arrangement suits everything from high school show choirs to adult community ensembles, and the presence of a solo feature allows for flexibility in casting or featuring individual singers.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the spotlight solo breathe and establish character before the ensemble enters. The contrast between that intimate opening and the full-voiced 2-beat is what makes the transition land.
- Lean into the rhythmic drive of the 2-beat accompaniment. Crisp articulation on the text will make the choreography read clearly to an audience.
- Use the recorded accompaniment's tempo as your rehearsal anchor, but don't lock into it robotically. Once your ensemble owns the groove, conductor-driven flexibility often feels more vibrant than metronomic precision.
- Build the ending energy deliberately. The rousing finish rewards a gradual dynamic and tempo lift, so plan where that acceleration starts and give yourself room to build it over two or three phrases.
How to use it
Open a concert with this to set an upbeat, theatrical tone immediately. It also works brilliantly as a finale, especially for programs built around classic American songbook material or entertainment-focused themes. The choreography potential makes it ideal for concert events where staging and visual interest matter as much as vocal precision.
Skills your students will build
- Executing rhythmic precision in 2-beat feel and syncopated text alignment
- Balancing solo spotlight with ensemble ensemble entries
- Integrating choreographed movement while maintaining vocal focus and breath control
- Interpreting theatrical style and character in a secular pop-choral context
- Building dynamic contrast and energy shape toward a climactic finish