And Now!

And now... Ladies and gentlemen... Here is a great song to start your next program! It's the classic setup – a timpani roll, tremolo strings, the brass players hit a big sforzando, horns and trumpets play an exciting fanfare, and someone steps up to the microphone to say, "And now!" That basically sums up this entire piece. It's a chance for your performers to announce to their audience that the show is about to begin. Of course, every time the words "And now" are exclaimed during the song, it should be spoken with great exuberance and excitement. A bit of movement would help, too – arms in the air, gesturing to the stage, or to the audience.