We're Gonna Put On a Show: SATB Choral Octavo

Althouse nails the theatrical opener. The Rockettes-style kick line section transforms this from a typical novelty into genuine production spectacle, giving your singers a theatrical anchor they'll remember staging for years. The accompanying SoundTrax recording captures authentic Broadway orchestration, making rehearsal feel less like music class and more like being backstage before curtain.

Broadway glamour meets choral fun. There's an infectious, high-octane energy that builds throughout, punctuated by moments of clever text that land with humor and wit. This is music designed to make singers smile while they perform.

Any SATB choir looking for an opener that energizes both performers and audience. The piece works for community choirs, high school groups, and mixed ensembles seeking something with theatrical flair and genuine musical craft beneath the spectacle.

• Treat the kick line section as a choreographic moment, not just a musical one. Even simple, synchronized movement transforms the energy and gives audiences a visual payoff.
• Use the recorded accompaniment during early rehearsals to establish the Broadway tempo and feel; once your singers internalize the groove, gradually reduce your dependence on it so the choir owns the rhythmic confidence.
• Balance the novelty elements with genuine vocal precision. The creative text lands harder when diction is crystal clear and ensemble unison is rock-solid.
• Embrace the sass in the arrangement. Althouse writes for singers who enjoy theatrical expression; permission to perform with personality and character makes all the difference.

Open your concert with this. The piece is engineered for immediate audience engagement and sets a celebratory tone that carries through the rest of your program. It pairs beautifully with more serious repertoire, offering contrast and reminding listeners that choral music spans the full emotional spectrum.

• Rhythmic precision in jazz/swing-influenced contexts
• Ensemble balance across SATB voicing in theatrical style
• Clear diction at tempo with rhythmic text
• Theatrical performance presence and character delivery
• Sustaining energy through multi-section arrangements