Who Are You (arr. Alan Billingsley): Choral Instrumental Pak
As performed by The Who / Arranged by Alan Billingsley
Item: 35-PK00393392
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Description
From Pete Townshend of The Who, this rock hit from 1978 is a blast from the past that will unite the generations in the synth-driven sounds of an earlier era!
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00393392
More about this title
About the Artist: The Who
The Who emerged from London in the mid-1960s as pioneers of rock opera and stadium rock spectacle. Pete Townshend's songwriting combined introspective lyrics with explosive power chords, while the band's live performances became legendary for their raw energy and instrumental virtuosity. Their influence on rock music spans decades, and their catalog remains a touchstone for understanding how popular music can achieve both commercial success and artistic depth.
Why we love this
Alan Billingsley's arrangement captures the propulsive synth energy of the original while making it accessible to choral and instrumental ensembles. This is the kind of repertoire that actually excites students because it honors the source material rather than watering it down. Programming a legitimate rock classic alongside your concert hall fare signals to singers and players that all music deserves serious interpretation.
What to expect
Propulsive and confident, with the kind of muscular groove that makes even a rehearsal room feel like an arena. The synth textures give it a time capsule quality that somehow feels both nostalgic and endlessly cool. There's swagger built into every measure.
Who it's for
Any choir or jazz band looking to expand beyond traditional concert repertoire without compromising musicianship. Directors who want their ensembles to engage with music that actually matters to contemporary audiences will find immediate buy-in from students.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythmic foundation early by drilling the kick drum and bass line together; this song lives in its groove, and any looseness in the low end undermines the entire arrangement.
- Balance the synth parts so they sit above the rhythm section without drowning out the vocals. These keyboard lines carry melodic material that your audience knows, so they need room to breathe.
- Trust the original's tempo and resist the urge to push. The power of this track comes from its steady, confident pulse, not from rushing for excitement.
How to use it
Place this in a pops concert or a contemporary music set where it can anchor a thematic program around rock classics. It also works as a statement opener that immediately signals you're doing something different this semester. The arrangement's accessibility means you can program it even in a relatively short rehearsal window without sacrificing quality.
Skills your students will build
- Interpreting syncopated rhythmic figures across multiple instrumental lines
- Balancing layered ostinato parts to maintain groove integrity
- Singing or playing with rock idiom articulation and phrasing
- Reading and executing parts within a rhythm section framework