Sweat, Tears, and Jazz Hands: The Official History of Show Choir from Vaudeville to Glee [Paperback]

Mike Weaver (Author), Colleen Hart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2011

(Book). Featuring more than 100 competitive show choirs from around the United States in photos, quotations, and stories, this edutainment-style book details the pop culture and theater influences that, over time, built this unique entertainment genre into the mecca of music lovers that it is today. Read real-life accounts of show choir performers, directors, and choreographers. Catch a glimpse into a once practically unknown society of "swing choirs." Discover what P. T. Barnum, Bob Fosse, speakeasies, cigarette companies, the modern-day blender, and Lady Gaga all have to do with this glitter-drenched community of singers and dancers. Take a step beyond the hit show Glee and learn about the real drama, the hard work, the sweat, and the tears. Find out what it takes to build an award-winning competition set; the branding, the budgets, the strategy and the performance. Meet the characters. Learn the lingo. Fall in love with show choirs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard (September 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557837724
• ISBN-13: 978-1557837721
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.5 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #590,639 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars love this book November 3, 2011

By c moorhead

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Enjoyed every moment of it the quality of the book was amazing from the writing to the pictures. The history was great and the advice on how to make one work was wonderful

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining read! November 3, 2011

By Marty Lindvahl

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Great book! "Sweat, Tears and Jazz Hands" is the book to read regarding the history of the genre of show choir. It is a honest and concise look at how show choir developed and evolved through the years to the current show choir format today. For the Gleeks out there who want to know the how "real" life show choirs function this is the book to buy! This book highlights groups from all over the country who work hard to produce great competative shows for the sheer joy of performing for an audience! It is a great education tool for music educators and students who want to learn more about show choir, fundraising, costuming, show design and how to develop a sucessful music program. It is a beautiful picture book plus much, much more!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful trip through time! November 1, 2011

By Goinggray

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is long overdue amongst fans of show choir and those who wish to know more about the subject. GLEE has brought public awareness to this field, but it's history is so much more than a TV show could ever capture.

Weaver and Hart show a love for educational music, an affinity for exposing little known facts and nuances of the profession, and great attention to giving credit to the men and women who have long struggled to bring credibility and recognition to the profession they adore.

Music students will love this book for its wonderful photography and interesting stories. Educators will love this book for its trip through time and detail of history. And GLEE fans will appreciate learning the background of this part of Americana they never knew existed. A fun read and a book that serves the profession well!