Opening song for large show choir?

[Magenta02]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 12:56pm

I work with a show choir of 46 kids and we're looking for a great "in your face" opener for next year's show. Old or new, more dance than staging, really impressive. Just an idea of what other groups have done: Being Alive, Be Our Guest, Slap that Bass, Welcome to the Night, Defying Gravity...

Any ideas? We're toying with Buenos Aires right now.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 2:19pm

I love the choral version of Merribly We Roll Along/Hills of Tomorrow at was performed at the Wall-to-Wall Sondheim event. I think it's not only beautiful but has a wonderful message too. PM me for details if you need them.

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 2:37pm

What about "Sunday" from Sunday In The Park With George?

[broadwaybaby692]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 2:46pm

Another Openin', Another Show

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 2:53pm

Ragtime from RAGTIME
Circle of Life from LION KING
Magic to Do from PIPPIN
Aquarius/Let The Sunshine from HAIR
Vendors'Calls/Down on MacConnachy Square from Brigadoon

[peggyandvelma]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 3:15pm

I second Ragtime! Very good choral song.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 3:17pm

The only reason I didn't suggest "ragtime" was becuase it had individual parts that are very distinctive.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 3:21pm

How in the HELL is Being Alive an opening number for a show choir?

I would cringe if my show choir or any other show choir did that song as an opening number or any number at all!

In my past 3 years in show choir for opening numbers we did.. "Put On A Happy Face," We had a Broadway throughout the years theme, it was a splendid opening. Second year we did "We're Off To See The Wizard/Ease On Down The Road" (We had a Wizard of Oz, The Wiz, and Wicked theme.) And this year we had an Harold Arlen theme, with a piece written as a small show for Show Choirs, and the opening number is - no other than "Get Happy."

We also have an all girls show choir at my school this year. Their opening was "All That Jazz." Great opening. The arrangement out there may make you cringe. Odd lyrical changes. Though I had issues our choreography too. In the middle of the number the choreography made a big kick-line. That's real Fosse!

Just some ideas for you.

Updated On: 5/12/06 at 03:21 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 3:22pm

"Walk Him up the Stairs" from Purlie. It blew me away when I first saw/heard it. It blows the roof off!

[Magenta02]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 3:35pm

Actually, "Being Alive" was stunning. They had some of their pit on the risers with them doing some corps horn work/movement during a brass opening, then segued into the song. Really effective. Then again, there were 45 of them on stage, so anything is stunning.

Actually, I need more upbeat/dancey pieces. Think "One Night Only", "Too Darn Hot"... we were also thinking of "Big Man on Mulberry Street".

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 3:40pm

My show choir usually does a mid-tempo/ballad to slow down the routine for a bit. We've had "Somewhere" - First year. "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" - Second year. And this year
"Stormy Weather/Come Rain Or Come Shine." All worked wonderfully.

But Being Alive? I would not want to hear that sung by 45 voices.

That's a solo number to me. I guess I had to see it.

[All_For_Laura]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 3:41pm

How about "June is Busting Out all over" if it was for a springtime/summer show...

[Magenta02]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 3:56pm

Yep, it was definitely a "had to see it" kind of a thing. Luckily, they're a very strong vocal/performance group. In the hands of a lesser group it would have been frightful. They kicked the tempo up a hair and had very strong choreography. They won many a competition this year.

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 3:59pm

Well, I don't know if these songs will be suitable for your choir but, these are some of the strong ensemble songs that I like:
1. At The End Of The Day, Les Miserables
2. A Hundred Million Miracles, Flower Drum Song Revival
3. No One Mourns The Wicked, Wicked
4. Buidoi, Miss Saigon

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 4:02pm

1) The Happy Ending- "Guys & Dolls" (It's the ending of the show, but it has the same lyrics as the title song and is sung by the whole cast)
2) We Are Descended- "Dessa Rose"

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 4:04pm

"On My Way" from Violet, I can get you the music.

[Sant]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 4:59pm

We Go Together - GREASE
Shaking At The High School Hop - GREASE

Razzle Dazzle - CHICAGO

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 5:51pm

I second We Got Together.

[TheBoyfromChi]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 6:02pm

I kinda liked the idea of One Night Only. Is that an option? That could be great.

[mrkringas]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 7:54pm

Look at the opening medley from "A Grand Night for Singing"

Its a wonderful composition that goes from a "La La" rendition of the Carousel Waltz into So Far and then into a SATB split of Hundred Million Miracles, Bali Hai, People Will Say We're In Love and finally all coming together into A Grand Night for Singing.

Great on the original cast album but even better with a full ensemble of 40

[teachingdiva]

Posted: 6/28/16 at 1:22pm

I am a fairly new show choir director for a middle school. I like your Wicked, Wiz, Wizard of Oz theme. Can I borrow that from you? Can you tell me where you obtained your arrangements and what songs were included? 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/28/16 at 2:18pm

This thread is more than ten years old....highly likely that whomever you were asking that of is no longer around .