We Built This City: E-Z Play Today

As performed by Starship

Item: 35-DS01651463

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$4.99
Description

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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 4
SKU: 35-DS01651463

More about this title

About the Artist: Starship

Starship emerged from the ashes of Jefferson Starship in 1985, carrying forward the arena rock legacy of the 1970s with a sharper pop sensibility. The band's 1987 album 'No Protection' became a commercial juggernaut, anchored by anthems that blended synthesizer-driven production with soaring vocal melodies and stadium-sized arrangements.

For music educators, Starship represents a crucial bridge between classic rock and the pop-rock idiom that dominates contemporary show choir and musical theater curricula. Their catalog offers accessible yet musically substantial material that engages students in rhythm section work, melodic interpretation, and the kind of energetic ensemble singing that builds audience connection.

Why we love this

This track brings undeniable energy to rehearsals and concerts without requiring advanced pianistic technique. The E-Z Play arrangement preserves the song's infectious hook and rhythmic drive, making it an ideal choice for students building confidence with popular repertoire while keeping rehearsal time focused on ensemble balance and vocal performance.

What to expect

Propulsive and celebratory, powered by a relentless rhythm and a melody that burrows into the listener's mind. The arrangement captures the song's essential upbeat swagger, making it feel like a victory lap whether it opens a concert or closes the first half.

Who it's for

Show choir directors seeking contemporary pop-rock material that connects with student singers and audiences alike. Piano students and accompanists working with vocal ensembles will find this accessible without sacrificing the authentic sound of the original.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lock into the rhythmic pulse early; the groove depends on steady eighth-note or sixteenth-note accompaniment patterns that support the ensemble rather than dominate it.
  • Balance the synthesizer textures suggested in the arrangement with the vocal line so singers project clearly over the accompaniment.
  • Keep the tempo consistent through the chorus; any slowdown will deflate the energy this song demands.

How to use it

Pair this with other 1980s pop-rock hits to build a thematic concert set that appeals to diverse audiences. The four-page length makes it manageable as a warm-up performance or a crowd-pleasing finale that sends the audience out energized.

Skills your students will build

  • Accompanying pop-rock vocal arrangements with consistent rhythmic precision
  • Reading and executing synthesizer texture cues in ensemble contexts
  • Maintaining steady tempo and groove under performance pressure

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