Enjoy The Show

It's always tough determining how to begin your concert. This song was conceived for just that purpose. This short, unison show opener incorporates rhythm section, brass, woodwinds, and strings to create a lively vaudevillian experience for your audience. Pay special attention to the vocal treatment on the recording, especially the use of scoops and slurs in both directions.

The second time through the song, the orchestra takes over the melody and the kids get to do a bit of body percussion. The pattern is marked on the music above the vocal line and uses stomps, patsches (thigh slaps), snaps, and claps. You can adapt these as you like, or leave them out entirely. But they're lots of fun to do and add a nice bit of movement to the tune.

Vaudeville (of French origin) was entertainment for the people, particularly marketed to the post-Civil War American middle class of the late 1800s to the early 1900s to bridge the gulf between high and lowbrow music and entertainment. It included a wide variety of acts such as music, acrobats, dancing, comedy, etc., and eventually gravitated toward clean, family-oriented presentations in lavish theaters. There is a wealth of information available at your local library or on the Internet about "voix de ville" or "voice of the city" entertainment. Use this song to introduce your students to a unique era in American music history.