Wake Up Everybody: SAB Choral Octavo
Words and music by Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, and Victor Carstarphen / arr. Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0001037
$1.90
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Recently released by John Legend & The Roots on their album Wake Up!, this soulful R&B single was originally performed by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes as the title track on their 1975 album. Still socially relevant today.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0001037
More about this title
About the Composer: Gene McFadden
Gene McFadden co-wrote "Wake Up Everybody" with John Whitehead and Victor Carstarphen during the height of the 1970s soul era. The song became a cornerstone of socially conscious R&B, first recorded by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes in 1975 and later reimagined by John Legend & The Roots, proving its enduring power across generations.
Why we love this
Jay Althouse's SAB arrangement captures the urgency and groove of this essential soul anthem while keeping the voicing accessible for mixed choirs. The piece brings contemporary relevance to your repertoire without sacrificing musical substance, and the recorded accompaniment option gives you flexibility in rehearsal and performance.
What to expect
Soulful and purposeful. The piece pulses with R&B energy while maintaining the earnest call-to-action at its heart. Singing "Wake Up Everybody" feels like joining a conversation that has mattered for nearly 50 years.
Who it's for
Mixed choirs seeking contemporary repertoire with substance and message. This arrangement works well for programs that value socially aware music and for directors looking to engage singers with songs that resonate in today's world.
How to get the most out of it
- Anchor the rhythmic feel by keeping the rhythm section locked together; this piece thrives on pocket timing rather than mechanical precision.
- Shape the lyrics with conviction. The message matters as much as the melody, so encourage singers to connect emotionally with the social commentary woven through the text.
- Balance the parts carefully in the SAB voicing to ensure the melody emerges clearly while the supporting harmonies provide richness without overpowering.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to help singers internalize the groove during early rehearsals before removing it for fuller ensemble singing.
How to use it
Program this at a concert focused on social justice, community voices, or contemporary music. It pairs naturally with other pop and R&B selections and can anchor a set celebrating music's role in activism and awareness.
Skills your students will build
- Stylistic interpretation of R&B groove and phrasing
- Rhythmic precision in syncopated figures
- Balancing melody and harmony in three-part voicing
- Lyrical storytelling and emotional expression
- Ensemble blend across different vocal ranges