We're Gonna Put On a Show Sheet Music Preview

We're Gonna Put On a Show: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Music by Jay Althouse

Item: 00-PO-0004220

Digital Download
$2.25

Minimum order quantity: 20 copies

Description
A concert opener your audiences (and singers) will remember for years to come. It's the ultimate Broadway-style, 2-beat blockbuster. Jay Althouse throws in everything but the kitchen sink on this one...it's complete with a Rockettes-style "kick line" section. And you'll love the creative and clever text. The incredible SoundTrax CD is classic; use it to capture the feel of broadway. Perfect for all ages.

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Sample Audio
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Sample Video
Additional Details
Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
SKU: 00-PO-0004220

More about this title

About the Composer: Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse

Jay Althouse holds degrees in Music Education and Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he was later honored as a Distinguished Alumnus. Early in his career, he worked as a rights and licenses administrator for a major educational music publisher and served on the Executive Board of the Music Publishers Association of America. His prolific catalog includes more than 800 choral compositions performed across the English-speaking world, and he is a consistent recipient of the ASCAP Special Award for his contributions to standard choral repertoire.

Beyond composing, Althouse has shaped music education through numerous collaborations and instructional resources. He co-wrote several children's musicals with Sally K. Albrecht, his wife and frequent creative partner, and compiled respected vocal solo collections. Their collaborative choral work "I Hear America Singing" was performed by the San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs at President Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009. Althouse has also authored reproducible classroom materials and reference texts, including "The Complete Choral Warm-up Book" and "Accent on Composers." He serves on the National Advisory Board of the Folk Art Society of America and has contributed articles to its quarterly publication.

Why we love this

This is precisely the kind of opener that energizes a concert from the first downbeat. Althouse harnesses Broadway theatricality without requiring elaborate staging or sets; the high-octane arrangement and playful text do the heavy lifting. The included SoundTrax recording captures authentic Broadway pacing and orchestration, making rehearsals feel less like preparation and more like stepping into a genuine theatrical experience.

What to expect

Imagine the curtain rising on a Broadway stage: bright, propulsive, unapologetically fun. This piece crackles with vaudeville energy and playful irreverence. It's designed to make audiences leave their seats smiling and singers walk off stage buzzing with adrenaline.

Who it's for

This works brilliantly for middle and high school choirs, community choruses, and adult ensembles seeking a showstopper that doesn't demand advanced vocal technique. The 2-part voicing makes it accessible to younger or less experienced singers, while the theatrical arrangement and clever text engage performers of any age.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lean into the comedic timing in the text. Pause slightly before punchlines and let the ensemble commit fully to the humor; audiences respond to singers who clearly enjoy what they're singing.
  • Study the SoundTrax recording to absorb the swing and rhythmic precision of the Broadway style. The energy lives in the pocket, not in overblown dynamics.
  • Choreograph the kick line section with clear, sharp motions. Even standing singers can execute clean, synchronized kicks that amplify the visual excitement.
  • Balance ensemble clarity with personality. Make sure soloists or small-group moments cut through while maintaining the collective energy that makes this arrangement shine.

How to use it

Program this as your concert opener to immediately capture attention and set a celebratory tone. Its theatrical flair and crowd-pleasing style also make it ideal for variety shows, spring concerts, or any program that benefits from an uplifting, high-energy centerpiece.

Skills your students will build

  • Rhythmic precision in syncopated, swing-influenced patterns
  • Theatrical expression and comedic timing in performance
  • Ensemble synchronization and movement coordination
  • Interpretation of stylistic Broadway articulation and phrasing
  • Confidence performing with recorded accompaniment

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