Chilcott A Sporting Chance

4
Secular
unison upper voices
(with optional parts)
and brass quintet
A Sporting Chance
vocal score

A Sporting Chance
for online perusal only
for unison upper voices (with optional parts) and brass quintet
Contents
1. Game On! (tacent—instrumental) 4
2. Run for Gold (100 metres sprint) 4
3. Ice is nice (figure skating) 13
4. The Underwater World (scuba diving) 16
5. Alright! (soccer) 20
6. The Clean and Jerk (weightlifting) 25
7. Game, set, and match! (finale) 28
Vocal score
B

3
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© Oxford University Press 2000 and 2011
Bob Chilcott has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs
and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the Composer of these Works
for online perusal only
Database right Oxford University Press (maker)
This edition first published 2011
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
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without the prior permission in writing of Oxford University Press
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Enquiries concerning reproduction outside the scope of the above
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at the address above
1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2
ISBN 978–0–19–337957–2
Music origination by Enigma Music Production Services, Amersham, Bucks.
Printed in Great Britain on acid-free paper by
Halstan & Co. Ltd, Amersham, Bucks.

Composer’s note
This piece was written in 2000 as part of a project run by Making Music involving a world-class
professional ensemble, the London-based group Onyx Brass, and choirs from English primary
schools. We were all sports lovers and wanted the project to be fun, so I wrote songs about different
types of sport, some of which feature and reflect the characters of the different brass instruments.
Hence, in ‘Ice is nice’ the trombone appears as a rather inept skater, sliding all over the rink. In ‘The
Underwater World’ the horn player becomes a scuba diver, and in the rap number, ‘Alright!’, the
trumpets and drum (optional) imitate the fans playing noisily at a football match. ‘The Clean and
Jerk’ depicts the tuba player as a weightlifter, who finishes the movement by lifting the instrument
triumphantly above his head. In order to make this piece fun for the performers and for the audience,
be as creative as you like—incorporate Mexican waves, dancing, clapping, hand-jiving, additional
percussion, or anything else you feel to be appropriate! While the piece is for unison voices, movements
two, four, and seven have additional voice parts, which may be omitted if preferred.
for online perusal only
An accompaniment for brass quintet (2tpt, hn, tbn, tba) and optional percussion (referee’s whistle, side
drum, glockenspiel) is available on hire/rental from the publisher or appropriate agent.
The lyrics are available separately as PDFs to print or project. To obtain a licence for use of these files,
contact OUP’s Music Rights and Contracts Department.
Duration: c.15 minutes

Commissioned for the ‘New Horizons’ Onyx Brass Education Tour 2000–01.
‘New Horizons’ is part of ‘The Music Experience’, a three-year community development project
supported by BT and the National Lottery through the Arts Council of England
A Sporting Chance
1. Game On! – Tacent
2. Run for Gold
(100 metres sprint)
BOB CHILCOTT
optional
VOICE 1*
VOICE 2*
VOICE 3*
86
Like a fanfare q = c.120
PIANO
REDUCTION
Like a fanfare q = c.120
f
90
Jogging along q = c.144
mf panting out and in
for online perusal only
mf panting out and in
Jogging along q = c.144
p
*If performing in three parts, most voices should sing voice part 1; voice parts 2 and 3 should be performed by a smaller group of singers.
© Oxford University Press 2000 and 2011
Printed in Great Britain
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, MUSIC DEPARTMENT, GREAT CLARENDON STREET, OXFORD OX2 6DP
The Moral Rights of the Composer have been asserted. Photocopying this copyright material is ILLEGAL.

94
5
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
Run-ning,
run-ning,
run ning,
- run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
97
mf
Hear
for online perusal only
the roar, as you step out on the
run-ning,
run-ning,
run ning,
- run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,

6
100
track once more. Hear it loud,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run- ning, run ning,
- run- ning, run- ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
for online perusal only
103
f
the an - ti - ci - pa -tion
of the crowd! Run
for
gold,
run-ning,
run ning,
f
- run-ning,
run-ning,
Run
for
gold,
f
Run for gold,
ff

106
you can change your des - ti - ny, run for gold, win a place
7
you can change your des - ti - ny, run for gold, win a place
you can change your des - ti - ny, run for gold, win a place
f
for online perusal only
109
in his - to - ry. Fix your eyes on the prize, and run for
in his - to - ry. Fix your eyes on the prize, and run for
in his - to - ry. Fix your eyes on the prize, and run for
ff

8
112
gold!
gold!
mf
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
gold!
mf
Run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
p
115
mf
Ev
- ’ry - where
there’s a real ex - cite-
ment
for online perusal only
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run ning,
- run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,

118
in the air. Ev - ’ry - one
9
run-ning,
run ning,
- run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
for online perusal only
121
f
in an - ti - ci - pa -tion
of the gun. Run
for
gold,
f
Run for gold,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run ning,
- run-ning,
Run
f
for
gold,
ff

10
124
there’s no more that we can say, run for gold, we are with
there’s no more that we can say, run for gold, we are with
there’s no more that we can say, run for gold, we are with
f
for online perusal only
127
you all the way. Give it heart from the start, and run for
you all the way. Give it heart from the start, and run for
you all the way. Give it heart from the start, and run for
ff

11
130
gold!
gold!
gold!
mf
mf
Run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
run-ning,
p
133
run - ning, run - ning, run ning, -
- run ning,
for online perusal only
p
136
ALL VOICES
f shout
ON YOUR MARKS!

12
139
Steadier q = c.120
ff
ONE!
TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE!
ff
142
SIX! SEVEN! EIGHT! NINE! TEN!
for online perusal only
145
GOLD!
sub. f
ff

13
ALL
VOICES
149
Free time
3. Ice is nice
(Figure skating)
BOB CHILCOTT
p
155
162 Cute waltz tempo q = c.128
168
mp
Out he skates to start his pro - gramme.
for online perusal only
© Oxford University Press 2000 and 2011. Photocopying this copyright material is ILLEGAL.

14
174
Gin
- ger - ly
he takes his place. Tries to smile, but
180
fear and ter - ror are writ - ten all o - ver his face.
186
mp
Off
he glides—
Hits the sides—
for online perusal only
f
p
192
mf
Get
a grip— don’t slip,

15
198
or you’ll go flat on your face! The
mf espress.
ice
mp
203
is
nice,
if you can mas - ter it
208
once or twice. If you don’t fall, you’ll have a
for online perusal only
213 Manic! q. = c.96
ball. Go for it! That’s my ad - vice!
(Tacent until bar 246)
mf

16
4. The Underwater World
(Scuba diving)
BOB CHILCOTT
246
Expressive and flowing q = c.116
p espress.
252
258
ALL VOICES
p espress.
Think of a place to be
for online perusal only
265
found far a way
- from here, blue and clear.
Se
- crets of
272
na - ture a - bound in the un - der - wa - ter world.
© Oxford University Press 2000 and 2011. Photocopying this copyright material is ILLEGAL.

278
VOICE 1
mp espress.
1
17
Co
- rals in branch - es,
stretch - ing a - way
as far as the
VOICE 2 (optional) mp espress.
2
Co
- rals in branch - es,
stretch - ing a - way
as
mp espress.
for online perusal only
283
mf
eye can see.
mp espress.
Bright
dam
- sel fish - es
mf
far as the eye
can see.
mp espress.
Bright dam - sel
mf
mp espress.
288
mf
dart
fish
- ing a - way
from me.
- es
dart - ing a - way
from me.
mf
mf

18
292
ALL VOICES p espress.
Think of the trea - sures of old in their rest - ing
p espress.
297
place, the sea’s em - brace.
Ma
- ny a
302
sto - ry un - told in the un - der - wa - ter world.
for online perusal only
308
mf espress.
Come
to this place where light and dark - ness meet,
mf espress.

314
mp
a
mask on your face, and
dim.
19
mp
dim.
320
rit.
fins on your feet.
p
Dive
p
mp espress.
326 a little slower
rit.
down in the blue with me,
to
a
p
for online perusal only
slow
pp
332
place of mys - te - ry.
pp

20
5. Alright!
(Soccer)
ALL
VOICES
Rap it up! q = c.108
Clap
337
oo
oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo
ff deep grunt, a bit like a drum
(swing the semiquavers)
f
BOB CHILCOTT
340
oo oo oo oo oo oo
for online perusal only
342
shout
spoken f
oo
AL - RIGHT! oo oo oo oo oo oo
The
345
game is on, we’re on our way, gon na
- play in the F A Cup to - day.
We’re
© Oxford University Press 2000 and 2011. Photocopying this copyright material is ILLEGAL.

21
347
ff
look -ing
good to win, and we could, if we should we will par - ty all night. AL - RIGHT!
349
oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo
f
352
oo oo oo oo oo oo
354
f
oo
AL-RIGHT!
oo oo oo oo oo oo We
357
stand in line, we greet and we meet— what a scene!— and sing ‘God save the Queen’. The
for online perusal only

22
359
ff
sound of the crowd, so loud, gon - na make ’em proud, we’ll be out of sight! AL
- RIGHT!
361
oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo
f
364
oo oo oo oo oo oo
for online perusal only
366
f
oo
AL-RIGHT!
oo oo oo oo oo oo The

369
whis
-tle
goes, the plan is to push ’em back, but we’re slack on the coun-ter
- at - tack. They’re
23
371
ff
look - in’ hot, and we’re not on the spot. What a shot! This is gon - na be tight. AL -
RIGHT!
373
oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo
f
for online perusal only
376
oo oo oo oo oo oo
378
f
oo AL - RIGHT! oo oo oo oo oo oo The

24
381
se
-cond
half we’re look - ing slick -er
and we’re quick- er, got a chance with a great free kick -er.
He
383
ff
curls the ball round the wall, and we’re up for the cup! We got it right. AL RIGHT!
- Oh!
gliss.
ff
The
ff
386
chance to win is a dream for the team, it’s great! Let’s go and ce - le - brate!
A
for online perusal only
388
sport ing
- chance for all is the name of the game, let’s get it right. AL - RIGHT!
fff

ALL
VOICES
390
Heavyweight blues q = c.108
6. The Clean and Jerk
(Weightlifting)
25
BOB CHILCOTT
mf
394
Hey
398
man -age
a - round
six hun - dred pounds, you’re a strong er
401
mf
there, big man! Lift those weights if you can. If you
for online perusal only
- man than I am!
© Oxford University Press 2000 and 2011. Photocopying this copyright material is ILLEGAL.

26
mf
405
Straps a- round his knees, he’s got legs as thick as trees. If you
409
f
think you are strong, then just come right a-long,
and see him lift the bar - bell with ease. Cos he’s a
413
sfz
weight - lift- er, see him at work. He’s such a great lift-er,
he does the ‘clean and jerk!’ Ooh!
f
mf
417
for online perusal only

27
421
mf
Chalk on his palms, flex - es the mus-cles
in his arms. He could
425
do it and then he’d break the re - cord a - gain.
Con -cen-trate.
Here he comes!
428
for online perusal only
p
432
p
ff
3
sffz

28
ALL
VOICES
436
Like a fanfare q = c.120
7. Game, set, and match!
(Finale)
BOB CHILCOTT
f
440 Rolling along q = c.168
mf
f
444
Get
3
out
and play, there’s sport for ev - ’ry - one.
for online perusal only
448
3
Home or
a
- way,
it’s fun to run for the team and for the
© Oxford University Press 2000 and 2011. Photocopying this copyright material is ILLEGAL.

29
452
friends and folk you have a - round you. So, straight to the line, go for the catch,
f
456
right up to time, Game, set, and match!
mf
460
1
for online perusal only
VOICE 1
f
3
Don’t
pass
it by, play what you’re
2
VOICE 2 (optional)
f
3
Don’t pass it
by.

30
464
look
- ing at. Give it
3
a try. How’s
3
Give it a try. How’s
468
ALL VOICES
that
to
bat for the team and for the friends and folk you have a - round you? So,
for online perusal only
472
al
- ways in - spire, the fi - nal dash, right to the wire, Game, set, and
f

31
476
match!
mf
480
mf
Win
or lose, it’s the joy of ta - king part. So much from
484
which to choose, get out and make a start. A
f
for online perusal only
488
3
mi
-
nute
to go be - fore the whis - tle blows.
f

32
491
One
3
fi
- nal throw. Get out and shout for the
495
team and for the friends and folk you have a - round you. So,
498
ff shout
al -ways
de - fend, quick as a flash, right to the end, GAME,
SET,
AND
f
for online perusal only
ff
502 Like a fanfare q = c.120
f
ff
fff
MATCH!
Processed in England by Enigma Music Production Services, Amersham, Bucks.
Printed in England by Halstan & Co. Ltd, Amersham, Bucks.

BC138
A Sporting Chance is a fun and lively choral work on the theme of sport, games,
and exercise. Each of the seven movements celebrates a different sport—you’ll find
running, soccer, weightlifting, and more—and words by the composer provide an
entertaining narrative of each event. Look out for exciting choral effects, such as
panting, rapping, and grunting, as well as active audience participation and even a
slow-motion race from the trumpet players. Scored for unison upper voices with
optional extra parts, this crowd-pleaser will have both choir and audience cheering
for their home team and willing the athlete to ‘run for gold’!
Bob Chilcott has been involved with choral music all his life, first as a chorister
and then a Choral Scholar at King’s College, Cambridge. Later, he sang and
composed music for twelve years with the King’s Singers. His experiences with that
group, his passionate commitment to young and amateur choirs, and his profound
belief that music can unite people, have inspired him both to compose full-time
and, through proactive workshopping, to promote choral music worldwide.
Have you tried?
Can you hear me? (ISBN 978-0-19-341532-4)
City Songs (ISBN 978-0-19-341526-3)
Green Songs (ISBN 978-0-19-342631-3)
The Elements (ISBN 978-0-19-342623-8)
This Day (ISBN 978-0-19-335933-8)
For more details about Bob Chilcott and his music, please contact
Oxford University Press, Music Department.
Cover image: © Illustration Works/Alamy
1
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