DTDA

The Right Tunes... Finding Music for Contest

The Right Tunes... Finding Music for Contest
by Gina Sawyer

As preparation for contest season begins, selecting music to compliment choreography, costumes, and props is a priority. For a memorable performance, consider utilizing music that reflects one continuous theme. A professional music company will do the "leg work" and find the best possible cuts for the director's routines and combine the pieces together with smooth transitions. If the theme chosen were fire, heat, or hot, the music arranger might suggest recording three to four songs for a length of 45 seconds each, for approximately a three minute routine. Combining music allows for greater variety of tempo and styles of choreography to be used. Be creative and choose from several dance genres such as lyrical, prop, jazz, kick, military, hip-hop or pom. The music, theme, costumes, and props will enhance the continuity between movement styles.

To aid directors in selecting music that reflects their choreographic vision, the following material has been organized. Instead of heading out to the music store for inspiration this contest season, just choose from the selections below. Next, call your favorite music company to combine the pieces. Applause will reverberate around the arena as audience members show their appreciation of your choice in music for the 2000 contest season.

FIRE THEMES: Chariots of Fire, Burning Down the House, Saturday Night Fever, Steam Heat, Great Balls of Fire, Hot Summer Nights, Grease Lightening, Burning Up For Your Love, Devil In The Blue Dress, They Call Me The Fireman, Come On Baby Light My Fire, Le Jazz Hot

PATRIOTIC THEMES: America, God Bless The USA, Star Spangled Banner, Rockin' In The USA, Battle Hymn Of The Republic, When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again, America The Beautiful, Yankee Doodle, Grand Old Flag, Strike Up The Band, Stars And Stripes Forever, When The Saints Go Marching In, Waitin' On The Robert E. Lee, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

COUNTRY THEMES: Rhinestone Cowboy, Lone Ranger, Oklahoma!, Rodeo, Wild Wild West, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys, Devil Went Down To Georgia, Orange Blossom Special, Cotton Eyed Joe, Swanee, Dixie, Blue Bayou, Boot Scootin' Boogie, These Boots Are Made For Walkin', Back In The Saddle Again, Happy Trails, Bonanza, Green Acres, Oh Suzanna

TEXAS THEMES: Yellow Rose Of Texas, Deep In The Heart Of Texas, The Eyes Of Texas Are Upon You, Texas Our Texas, San Antonio Rose, Theme From Dallas

MUSICAL THEATER: If My Friends Could See Me Now, West Side Story, A Chorus Line, All That Jazz, Can Can, It's Not Where You Start, Tomorrow, You Gotta Have Heart, Me & My Shadow, Give My Regards To Broadway, It Don't Mean A Thing, Sing Sing Sing, I've Got Rhythm, Cabaret, 42nd Street, Grease, Fame, Singin' In The Rain, Cats, Chicago, Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend, Foot Loose, It's A Hard Knock Life

ENTERTAINMENT: Everything's Coming Up Roses, That's Entertainment, Razzle Dazzle, Hooray For Hollywood, Puttin' On The Ritz, Gypsy, Stepping Out With My Baby, Let Me Entertain You, There's No Business Like Show Business, New York New York, On Broadway

Gina Sawyer

Dance Director, Utley Ninth Grade Center, Rockwall, TX

DTDA Top Ten Director for 1998-1999

Writer / Instructor for Spirit U Horizontal Rule

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