The Beat Goes On: Score: Choral SoundPax
Words and music by Sonny Bono [Sonny & Cher] / arr. Greg Gilpin
Item: 00-PR-0004241
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Description
Sonny & Cher hit the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967 with this groovy song and its easily recognizable bass line. A terrific choice for a concert theme, it's sure to leave your audience wanting more (or singing along)! "La, dee, da, dee, da . . . "
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Beat Goes On: Score: Choral SoundPax comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
20
SKU:
00-PR-0004241
Instrumentation:
SoundPax
More about this title
About the Composer: Sonny Bono
Sonny Bono (1935-1998) was a singer, songwriter, and entertainer who shaped the sound of 1960s popular music. Best known for his work with wife Cher as the folk-pop duo Sonny & Cher, Bono wrote infectious melodies and memorable hooks that defined an era. His songwriting combined accessible pop sensibility with clever production choices that made songs instantly recognizable and endlessly singable.
Why we love this
Greg Gilpin's arrangement captures the playful energy and infectious groove of the original without demanding technical virtuosity from your singers. The SoundPax instrumentation keeps the arrangement lean and transparent, letting the iconic bass line and melody shine. Programming this puts an audience in a feel-good mood immediately and works equally well as a concert opener, closer, or thematic anchor.
What to expect
Bright, bouncy, and irresistibly catchy. The arrangement preserves the 1960s pop sheen of the original while keeping the texture modern and choral. There's a conversational ease to the music that makes singers feel like they're sharing a inside joke with the audience.
Who it's for
Choirs at the middle school through adult community level who want a recognizable, high-energy pop number that builds confidence and invites audience participation. Singers don't need advanced reading skills or acting experience; they need enthusiasm and the ability to lock into a groove.
How to get the most out of it
- Drill the entrance of that famous bass line in sections before running the full arrangement. Once it's locked in, it becomes the groove's foundation and supports everything else.
- Keep the syllables light and buoyant on the "La, dee, da, dee, da" sections. Think rhythmic ornamentation, not lyrical weight.
- Let the recorded accompaniment set and maintain the tempo; this arrangement depends on steady groove rather than expressive rubato.
- Balance your voice parts so the melody stays clear even when rhythmic backgrounds are active. The hook needs to cut through.
How to use it
This works beautifully as a concert closer when you want to send the audience out smiling and humming. It also pairs well with other 1960s or pop-themed repertoire if you're building a program around a specific era or cultural moment. The approachable groove makes it an excellent morale builder during rehearsals or a fun choice for pops concerts and casual settings.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining steady groove and internal pulse across multiple verses
- Balancing rhythmic backgrounds with melodic lines
- Singing in a pop/contemporary style with clear diction and rhythmic precision
- Entering and exiting cohesively in a rhythmically active arrangement