Let’s make singing “Happy Birthday” in choir a little more fun.
- Rehearse and harmonize. Maybe you want to use these versions? They’re free in multiple interlocking voicings.
- Harmonize improvisationally. Not like a family birthday, though. Build an improvised version, shaping it with guidance. Assign melody singers, practice improvising, create something individual to your ensemble.
- Sing it in multiple keys. I like to start with 5ths, then try triads, seconds, sevenths, and eventually rich jazz voicings (Like a 4-part chord of F-B-E-G#).
- Modulate with every phrase. (Credit to James Rose, who shared this idea on social media this summer.) With the beginning of the each phrase, use the last note of the last phrase, and modulate to whatever key that makes sense. For example, if the end of the first phrase of “Happy Birthday” ends on E (key of F), the second phrase starts on E (key of A). It’s a fun ear challenge for the singers.