#1 “Laugh”:  Life is a Joyride 

Hey choir….

Get your circus outfits ready….(careful with hat heights on risers…)

Our opener for 2025 begins with the madness and hilarity of a circus…

I’ll need a trio of instruments, winds/brass. Maybe even kazoos, cuz ya know, we meet the moment. 

Let me know if you can play/read/bring an instrument and are interested. (Yes, Elizabeth, I got ya for trombone)

This also calls for a rowdy Ringmaster, someone that can speak/sing with all the gusto and show stopping charisma that a ringleader has. 

The idea I’m sharing-the through line of the service, that has been shared with me-thanks muse- is this idea of 

Laugh ✯ Scream ✯ Cry ✯ Love ✯ Dream

In a way, it’s a metaphor for the moment. 

It’s also how to deal in a dust storm, or when life just takes a turn. 

It’s also supposed to be funny, hilarious and out of control. And yet, there is some real truth in the lyrics, Joy is a choice, go outside and thank the trees, and the message that the joyride is fueled with your laughter. 

Farting jokes aside, it instigates laughter as good medicine. 

I can see some vamping with some good spoken jokes, so get writing, if that’s your thing.

So get your ham on. 

We will wear circus wear for the risers-keep your neighbors in mind in your creative thrifting..!

And don’t forget, life IS a joyride!

#2 “Scream”: The Silent Majority/ The Sounds of Silence

Ooooh. I’m just so psyched on this mashup….

It started with a conversation between Deb C and I this spring, which got my ears out there looking/listening for something that would fit with that. 

Check out the full version of this song which you may or may not have heard:

Eddie Harris, The Silent Majority

And of course you know the Sound of Silence by G&F and has recently become pretty popular as of late. 

I’m not exactly sure were it will go, at first I thought right after the first opening piece. But it’s got such a vibe, I wonder if it belongs closer to the end,  right before Don’t Lose Sight…

The playa will let us know. And also the speakers will help shape it out…

This calls for a soloist and your best gospel sound/vibe. A pretty easy chart as far as the choir goes, not a lot to memorize and I think, since it’s been stuck in my ear all night nagging me to get it done, should be a quick memorization for ya.

#3 “Cry”: Lacrimosa

We will be performing Mozart’s Lacrimosa with the Black Rock Philharmonic.

#4 “Love”: Superlove

Ok,choir… it’s our tearjerker ballad!

Thanks, as per usual, Purple Sunshine for suggesting this song. I know when I’m crying at the gym while listening on the stairclimber and I get shivers, then it’s usually a good sign it’s right for us…

Needs a solid and honest/vulnerable soloist, chorus repeats 3x. There’s a little SA vs.TB feature and a different, but pretty ending that could go some places on playa. 

Also needs an instrumental soloist. Pretty much speaks to the moment in what is needed in our world.

Tempo may vary out there, as we do. Band parts forthcoming. Let me get the rest of the satb charts written and then I’ll circle back. 

There are definite harmony differences between the original and my arrangement. Use theirs for a good soloist reference, but use mine for harmony parts. The harmonies are not the same!

#5 “Dream”: Don’t Lose Sight 

Our closing number….!

#6 Somebody to Love

Playa Choir’s second collaboration with Black Rock Philharmonic this year is “Somebody to Love” (Queen, Glee Arrangement). This piece is open to anyone willing to rehearse in advance. The current arrangement is SATB with divisi, but depending on our final voice count, we may adjust to a three-part arrangement: soprano, alto, and baritone or similar.

We are planning a couple of Zoom rehearsals and one to two run-throughs on playa. Zoom rehearsals happen on Sundays:
6:30 pm Eastern / 3:30 pm Pacific
🔗Rehearsal Zoom link!
The rehearsals are recorded for those unable to attend live.

Somebody to Love Virtual Rehearsal recording – July 27

Somebody to Love Virtual Rehearsal recording – Aug 3

#7 Bohemian Rhapsody