What's This? (arr. Roger Emerson): 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo
What's This? (arr. Roger Emerson) Sheet Music Preview

What's This? (arr. Roger Emerson): 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo

By Danny Elfman / Arranged by Roger Emerson

Item: 35-DS01919520
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Description

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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 18
SKU: 35-DS01919520

More about this title

About the Composer: Danny Elfman

Danny Elfman has defined the sound of contemporary film and television through his distinctive orchestral voice, marked by whimsical melodies, unexpected harmonic turns, and a gift for capturing emotional complexity in accessible packages. His work on Tim Burton films, including "The Nightmare Before Christmas," demonstrates a rare ability to blend gothic sensibility with genuine warmth, making his music resonate with audiences across generations and age groups.

Why we love this

Roger Emerson's arrangement captures the childlike wonder and slight eeriness of Elfman's original without losing the song's theatrical charm. The 3-part mixed voicing makes this accessible for many ensemble levels while preserving enough harmonic interest to keep singers engaged, and it works equally well as a concert feature or holiday program opener.

What to expect

Enchanted confusion wrapped in melody. The piece carries the same sense of stumbling into a strange new world that defines the source material, with moments of wonder and moments of delighted bewilderment. It's theatrical without being overdone, inviting singers and listeners alike to embrace the unexpected.

Who it's for

Directors seeking a showstopper that straddles the Halloween and Christmas concert calendar without sounding forced. The 3-part mixed voicing suits intermediate to advanced ensembles with flexible soprano/alto and tenor/bass lines.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the melody with clear phrase breathing; this tune invites conversational phrasing that mirrors the character's curious questioning.
  • Balance is essential in the middle sections where countermelody lines weave in. Make sure accompaniment parts don't overshadow the primary melodic voice.
  • Lean into the rhythmic precision of any syncopated figures; they're what give the arrangement its Elfman-esque snap and personality.
  • Experiment with dynamic contrast between the verse and any choral sections to heighten the sense of discovery the text conveys.

How to use it

Pair this with other contemporary art song arrangements or other Elfman material for a themed concert block. It also functions beautifully as a warm-up to autumn concert season or as a bridge piece between Halloween and winter repertoire, giving audiences a familiar cinematic touchstone before settling into more traditional holiday selections.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing melody and countermelody simultaneously in mixed voicing
  • Stylistic interpretation of contemporary film music arranged for choir
  • Balancing theatrical character work with choral blend
  • Rhythmic precision in syncopated passages
  • Dynamic shaping and phrase-level interpretation

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