The Candy Cane Twist: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Words by Andy Beck and Brian Fisher, music by Andy Beck
Item: 00-PO-0001643
$2.05
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Description
It's a seasonal sensation that's sweepin' the nation (with no mention of the holidays)! This rockin' original celebrates the tasty treat with all the right moves. "Twist to the left and right . . . like the red and white." Fitting '50s choreography available on the DVD. Featured on "Reaching for the Stars" choral movement DVD 00-39928. Check this out! https://leapingbrain.com/modshop/product/?shop=9&product=5686
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0001643
More about this title
About the Composer: Andy Beck
Andy Beck directs choral publications at Alfred Music and has composed and arranged over 450 choral works for singers of all ages. His output spans popular octavos, vocal resources, children's musicals, and foundational sight-singing curricula including Sing at First Sight and Vocalize! His music circulates globally, performed by choirs from elementary schools to honor groups. Beck maintains active work as a guest conductor, choreographer, clinician, and adjudicator across the United States and internationally, frequently commissioned by all-state and regional honor choirs.
Beyond publication work, Beck is an accomplished tenor soloist and chamber musician with the North Carolina Master Chorale, a studio vocalist for Alfred since 1992, and a passionate director of musical theatre. His degrees in Music Education from Ithaca College and Northwest Missouri State University ground his commitment to choral artistry and music literacy. That dedication shapes every publication he develops for Alfred's catalog.
Why we love this
Beck writes novelty pieces with genuine musicality and stageable charm, never winking at his young singers. The Candy Cane Twist lands somewhere between earnest fun and knowable rock and roll, complete with choreography that actually enhances the singing rather than overshadowing it. Seasonal concerts need this kind of anchor: something your singers will love performing, audiences will remember, and that fills time with musical substance, not just spectacle.
What to expect
A burst of rock and roll nostalgia wrapped in sugar-rush confidence. The piece bounces with 1950s charm and playful rhythmic swagger, inviting singers to move with the music and embrace the theater of the moment. It's joyful without being precious, contemporary without being trendy.
Who it's for
Middle school and high school choirs seeking a crowd-pleasing seasonal piece that doesn't lean on religious content. Singers in this voicing range enjoy novelty that respects their age without talking down to them, and The Candy Cane Twist delivers exactly that energy.
How to get the most out of it
- Nail the rhythmic precision in the twist sections. Even though the piece rocks casually, the ensemble's sync on those directional cues (left, right, red, white) determines whether it lands as tight fun or loose mess.
- Commit fully to the '50s idiom. Light vibrato, bright vowels, and clean articulation keep the novelty from tipping into parody.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to lock the groove during rehearsals. A drummer or pianist tapping along can help, but the track itself is your gold standard for tempo and feel.
- Stage the moves early and often. Don't save choreography for dress rehearsal. Integration of movement and singing from the first full run-through means your singers can breathe naturally and project confidently.
How to use it
Program this in the second half of a winter concert to shift energy and lighten the mood after heavier fare. It pairs well with other secular seasonal material and gives audiences a breather that lands as a gift, not a gimmick. Also consider it a standalone opener for a holiday show or pops concert aimed at younger audiences.
Skills your students will build
- Integrating movement and singing while maintaining vocal clarity
- Ensemble precision in rhythmic unison and choreographed sections
- Stylistic singing in the rock and roll idiom with period-appropriate tone and articulation
- Counting and executing choreography within a 2-part texture