Spooky Night

"Spooky Night" is the name of the opening song of the revue by the same name. Once you hear it, you might find yourself wanting to give it the nickname, "Thriller Of The Opera," as its somewhat familiar strains perfectly set the tone for the revue in both style and content. The lyrics are wonderfully vague about why it's a spooky night, leaving the audience and performers alike the pleasure of conjuring their own mental imagery.

Two distinctive styles of performance are called for, though both are easy for young singers. The first style begins at measure 14. The indication "enunciate well – Vincent Price proper" may mean more to you than your students, so perhaps a little education could ensue. Point is, a crisp enunciation will help audiences to understand. The over-the-top exaggerated delivery is just great spooky fun (a la Vincent). At the chorus (measure 30 and the coda), the style changes to hard rock. So the singing style should also change. Belting is encouraged. This also sets up the dance segment.

The dancing is optional, but if you like the idea, we have included a very simple step (measure 36) that you can easily use. It's a four beat pattern that follows the quarter note pulse: step, slide, stop, clap. The step means one foot goes to the side. For the slide, the other foot slides sideways to meet it. Stop is self-explanatory, as is the clap. You could get a lot more carried away with dance moves, either for the whole group or for a featured group of dancers, big or small. (Think of the video "Thriller" for inspiration.) If you want, you could add this movement or any you like at other places in the song, too.

We truly think that you will get the best out of this piece if you use the Performance/Accompaniment recording with it. It is quite an amalgam of full orchestra, rock band, and pipe organ, not to mention the sound effects. And as usual, our own young singers can provide inspiration, teaching, or reinforcement for yours.