Featured Piece: Castaways

Today’s featured piece: Castaways from The Backyardigans (Lurik/Smith/Valdes/Westelman)

Instrumentation SATB + rhythm section

Difficulty Level Easy to medium

Who It’s Good For High school or collegiate choir or vocal jazz ensemble.

Where to Purchase Buy it online or via your sheet music dealer.

What’s the Story? When this Nickelodeon TV Show tune went viral a couple years ago, I knew I wanted to write an arrangement. I decided to write an arrangement that would be satisfying while fitting on two pages. It’s straightforward, with a mix of unison vocals and tight Manhattan Transfer-style voicings. Ample room for soloing, and blowing changes for all standard transpositions. A quick learn for vocal jazz ensembles and a surefire hit with high school and college audiences. (And parents who watched Backyardigans with their kids!)

Can I Hear It? Here’s a live performance (start at 14:00)

Musical Moods 75 from GRCCTV on Vimeo.