There are pieces you write for elegance. There are pieces you write for reflection. And then… there are pieces like Groovitude.

This high-octane work was born out of a simple question: What if Disco, Funk, Symphonic Dances, and Minimalism all got into a room together… and threw a party? I don’t know if the world asked for that combination, but here it is—and it grooves hard.

Anchored by a relentless four-on-the-floor beat, Groovitude combines intricate rhythms, active low voices, vibrant orchestration, and (arguably excessive but highly enjoyable) percussion. The vibe is part dance floor, part roller rink, part concert stage—and 100% unapologetic joy.

Musically, this piece was inspired by the funk and disco legends I grew up loving: K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Chase, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Fifth Dimension, and so many others. Their music was bold, joyful, and fearless—and I’ve tried to bring that same spirit to this piece. It's got horns that punch, bass lines that drive, and energy that just won’t quit.

Over the years, I’ve come to recognize something important about my compositional voice: I live at the crossroads of the symphonic and the popular. I love writing music that dives deep into serious themes—grief, hope, mental health—and I also love writing music that just makes people feel good. For a long time, I was afraid embracing both sides would make me seem less “serious.” But I’ve come to see it differently.

A good composer should have range.

Groovitude is part of that range. It’s funky, flashy, rhythmically challenging, and designed to let players and audiences cut loose just a little. It’s okay to laugh. It’s okay to move. 

And it’s more than okay if your clarinets start to shimmy.

Will this piece change lives? Maybe not.

Will your booty shake?  Quite possibly.

Sometimes music doesn’t have to be so serious.

Sometimes, it can just be fun.

And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need. Peace, Love, and Music – Randall Standridge