The Real Thing: Choral Instrumental Pak

This is a refreshing stylistic pivot that still delivers musicality your singers won't tire of. The Latin groove gives everyone a chance to feel the pocket differently than they would in a traditional ballad or uptempo pop number, and the recent Vanessa Williams recording gives the piece cultural currency your students recognize.

Smooth and grounded, with the kind of effortless swing that makes you want to move. The Latin elements bring warmth and color without veering into novelty; instead, this feels like a natural outgrowth of where popular music was heading in the 1970s.

Choirs seeking a concert piece that steps outside the classical or traditional pop box without sacrificing sophistication. Your students will connect to the recorded version they may know, and they'll learn how to shape their sound for a completely different musical context.

• Lock into the laid-back pulse before rehearsing the melodic lines. The rhythmic foundation here is everything; once your ensemble feels the groove, the voicing will sit naturally.
• Attend to the specific vowel colors that support the jazz and Latin aesthetic. A bright, closed sound will fight the arrangement's warmth.
• Balance the rhythm section parts equally with the vocal lines. This is a band arrangement dressed as a choral piece, so each instrumental voice carries melodic weight.

Position this mid-concert as a breather between more demanding choral work, or use it to close a set with a groove that lingers. Its accessibility and recorded familiarity also make it a strong choice for a pop or jazz-focused concert where your students can showcase their range across genres.

• Singing with rhythmic precision in a syncopated, groove-based context
• Balancing vocal lines with instrumental accompaniment
• Interpreting style markings and performance practice in jazz and Latin idioms
• Sustaining an ensemble sound across a longer form (4:45 duration)