Billy Ray Poli, Jazz Choir R&S Chair
December, 2015
Title: Linus and Lucy
Composer: Vince Guaraldi arr. Kern
Voicing: SATB (Also available in SSAB, SSAA, TTBB)
Instrumentation: unaccompanied
Publisher: Shawnee Press
Difficulty: Medium/Hard
Based on the beloved “Peanuts” theme song, this arrangement of Linus and Lucy is completely approachable for a select choir of SATB singers, or large SATB choral ensembles. The main theme returns throughout making it a safe section for the singers to rely on. The B and C sections of the song prove a bit more challenging because at measure 39 a more swing feel comes into play with the tenors and bass’s have off beat hits, and the treble voices are swinging a very complex melodic line. Then in measures 51-53 there is a constant triplet feel that can throw off even an advanced singer.
I recommend having a really strong men’s section, especially basses, in order to maintain a solid foundation. As someone who is conducting a group of students who are not normally used to jazz music, my students are finding this song to be an easy way to start experimenting in that world! This is a must-have piece for your jazz repertoire: a crowd pleaser for sure!
Vermont ACDA 