Together

Once again, we are starting the school year with a song that is to be the title song of a musical revue. Since last year, we focused on "self" and individuality, this year, our revue emphasizes our roles in our global community. As usual, the title of the revue is the same as the opening song: Together. There will be at least five songs in the revue in all. The first two appear in this issue; the rest will subsequently appear in the second and third issues. By the time you receive the third issue, you will have the complete revue, including a script and teacher's guide for performance.

The song "Together" is designed to be a big opening song for one, two or many classes to sing. It can be sung as written with all the parts, or it can be simplified. Part 1 contains the melody throughout so it can be sung as a unison song, if you prefer. However, if you do add the parts, note that part 2 begins at the chorus (measure 50). It is a lower part, meant to be sung by lower, changing, or changed voices. Part 3 is added at the coda, and consists mainly of "la's." You can assign this part to one person or hundreds. Your only consideration should be balance with the other parts.

Given the style and tempo of the music, your students may feel compelled to move as they sing. Especially at the end during the "la's", you may wish to let them move freely. Or you may choose to choreograph sections using only a few students, or all of them. In any event, movement is a natural.

Things to discuss with your students:

• Form is an important consideration in many of the songs we do. This one is a good example of the use of a D.S. (dal segno), and a coda. Using these in context, what is the form of the song?
• At the beginning, middle, and end of the song, a solo instrument is featured. What type of instrument is it? (Alto saxophone.)
• With the use of congas and shakers, the tune takes on a distinctive style. What style is it? (Latin, or latin rock.)