The Varsity Drag: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

This arrangement brings an authentic piece of Broadway history into the choral classroom without sacrificing singability. The recorded accompaniment tracks give singers a solid harmonic foundation, while the optional instrumental parts open the door to small ensemble collaboration and real production value.

Bright, spirited, and genuinely fun. The melody bounces with the exuberance of the Jazz Age, and the harmonic language sits comfortably within the pop-choral idiom while maintaining authentic period flavor. Singers feel the forward momentum and joy built into every phrase.

This octavo works best for high school choirs and upper-level middle school ensembles with solid rhythm reading skills and the ability to hold independent parts. Directors seeking repertoire that connects music history to live performance will find this piece engaging for singers and audiences alike.

• Lock the rhythmic groove early. The syncopation and syncopated rhythms characteristic of 1920s dance music require precision; use the recorded accompaniment as a metronome anchor during initial rehearsals.
• Articulate consonants crisply, especially in fast passages. This style demands rhythmic clarity and energy; clean diction amplifies the swing feel.
• Balance choral blend with rhythmic independence. Each voice part has distinct material; avoid blending so tightly that individual voice lines lose definition.
• Consider adding simple choreography or movement. The piece was designed as a dance number; even subtle staging can energize the singers and engage the audience.

Program this as a second-half opener or concert closer when you want to shift the mood toward something upbeat and theatrical. It pairs naturally with other 1920s-inflected pieces or serves as an excellent bridge between traditional choral literature and contemporary pop repertoire.

• Reading and executing syncopated rhythms characteristic of early-20th-century American music
• Maintaining rhythmic independence within a choral texture
• Crisp articulation and diction in quick, rhythmically complex passages
• Responding to recorded accompaniment tracks with precision
• Interpreting stylistic elements of Broadway and popular song idiom