Chorus songs

Question 1

Too Darn Hot

Answer 1

Kiss Me, Kate - Cole Porter

• descending stepwise melody
• thin texture to begin
• begins as a solo
• jazz chords/blues scale
• off beat rhythms
• opens act 2
• question and answers between voices
• instrumental dance section

Question 2

Oklahoma!

Answer 2

Oklahoma! - Richard Rodgers

• Multiple solos sung to main characters
• conversational style to begin
• off beat rhythms
• major key
• upbeat feeling
• chorus section has countermelody
• varied dynamics in chorus section
• crescendo, building texture to end
• dramatic final chord

Question 3

Masquerade

Answer 3

• Homophonic ‘masquerade’ chorus
• Polyphonic verses
• multiple solos
• begins in A major
• multiple key changes
• gradually modulates into higher keys to make each repetition more dramatic than the last
• Phantom’s theme motif begins to end the piece as he enters the scene

Question 4

At the end of the day

Answer 4

Les Miserables - Claude-Michel Shonberg

• minor key, but modulates to major to end
• repetitive bassline, steady beat
• compound time
• vivace
• solo sections
• 2 bar introduction
• F minor into tonic major key change
• mostly root position chords
• rondo form
• off beat rhythms in accompaniment
• countermelody over main chorus
• bassline on the beat
• syncopation
• drum fills to end verses