Zazz: 2-Part Choral Octavo

This piece brings genuine Broadway comedy into your rehearsal without condescending to your singers. The humor sits in the lyrics and the theatrical framing, not in a simplified arrangement, so your students get to perform something that works as actual entertainment while building their choral skills.

Pure theatrical energy and wit wrapped in a show tune that sparkles with personality. Singing this feels like stepping onto a Broadway stage, complete with the knowing comedy and physical joy of big showbiz production numbers.

Middle school and high school choirs looking to add contemporary Broadway music to their repertoire. This works equally well for mixed ensembles and those with limited lower voices, since the 2-part writing accommodates flexible voicing.

• Treat the comedy with specificity. The laugh lines in "jazz hands" and "step-ball-change of heart" land hardest when they're sung as part of the character and moment, not shouted for effect.
• Use the recorded accompaniment during early rehearsals to establish the groove and tempo, then gradually reduce your reliance on it so singers develop independence with the harmonic progression.
• Stage this with purpose. The choreographic references demand some level of physical commitment. Even minimal staging (hand gestures, a simple step pattern) transforms the piece from a funny song into a theatrical moment.
• Balance the comedic delivery with vocal clarity. The razzle-dazzle should enhance the singing, not overwhelm it. Make sure the diction stays crisp so the punchlines register.

Program this in a spring concert or holiday show where it can anchor a musical theater or pop music set. Its Broadway pedigree and accessible 2-part writing make it an ideal bridge piece between traditional choral repertoire and contemporary styles, and the humor provides a perfect tonal contrast in a mixed program.

• Rhythmic clarity and precision in a contemporary pop/Broadway idiom
• Diction and comedic timing in sung text
• Ensemble blend while maintaining character and personality
• Interpretation of Broadway-style accompaniment patterns and groove
• Integration of choreography or physical performance with vocal technique