Wanna Be Startin' Something: Choral Instrumental Pak
As performed by Michael Jackson / As performed by Glee Gast / Arranged by Mark Brymer
Item: 35-PK00260579
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Description
Opening Michael Jackson's groundbreaking "Thriller" album in 1983 and covered by the "Glee" cast in 2012, this invigorating rhythm-infused song will inject a mega-dose of emotion to every concert! Layered percussion and funk-fueled brass licks keep the energy level high! Duration: ca. 2:45.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00260579
More about this title
About the Artist: Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson emerged as a global musical force in the 1970s and redefined pop music throughout the 1980s and beyond. His influence spans vocal production, rhythmic innovation, and the integration of rock, funk, and soul elements into mainstream popular music. For educators, Jackson's catalog offers accessible entry points into studying contemporary songwriting, groove-based arrangement, and the performance techniques that defined late 20th century pop.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures the infectious swagger and layered groove that made "Wanna Be Startin' Something" an album opener for a reason. Mark Brymer's orchestration preserves the song's rhythmic propulsion while giving choirs and instrumental ensembles genuine textural moments, so students hear both the infectious hook and the sophisticated percussion interplay underneath it.
What to expect
High-octane and funk-driven. The arrangement pulses with syncopated rhythms and layered percussion that push the choir forward, while strategic brass licks punctuate the vocal line with attitude. You feel the momentum building across the arrangement, designed to lock an audience into the groove immediately.
Who it's for
Concert choirs and jazz or pop ensembles looking for repertoire that feels current and energetic without sacrificing musicianship. Directors who want students to experience the difference between singing a pop hit and performing it with ensemble precision and rhythmic sophistication.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the kick drum and bass line first. Everything else locks into that pocket, so establish that groove with precision before layering the vocals and horn parts.
- Treat the call-and-response sections as conversational exchanges. Brass players should answer the choir with attitude, not just play their written line.
- Let the percussion shine during instrumental breaks. These moments drive engagement; if the rhythm section plays timidly, the song loses its propulsive energy.
- Balance the "ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-coo-sa" layered vocals so they sit in the groove rather than sitting on top of it.
How to use it
Close an opening set or build toward a concert's peak moment. The song's infectious energy works best when audiences are ready to move with it rather than settle in for a ballad. It pairs effectively with other contemporary or pop-inflected repertoire to showcase your ensemble's range and rhythmic command.
Skills your students will build
- Rhythmic precision in funk and syncopated pop grooves
- Layering multiple rhythmic and melodic lines simultaneously
- Ensemble balance between vocals and instrumental sections
- Call-and-response phrasing and interplay
- Stylistic performance of contemporary pop and rock material