All I Want (for Christmas)
Though sharing its title with another well-known popular Christmas song, this song is very much different. Liam Payne’s holiday pop ballad begins with a lyrical piano motif typical of most contemporary tunes on the radio. The song retains its easygoing feeling through the verses and chorus even as the vocal texture expands to common triad structures. This 2023 hit will be a great addition to the pop music in your Christmas concerts.
As Days Go By
Theme Song from the TV series Family Matters
SATB, accompanied
Family Matters became a popular and quintessential sitcom of 90’s television programming, introducting the world to the Winslow family and their nerdy neighbor Steve Urkel. The opening theme (used for all nine seasons of the show) became an instant classic and helped popularize the program to reach a wider audience than any other TV program. This lighthearted whimsical tune will be a favorite to hear at your next pops concert, enjoyed by those who may have never heard of Family Matters or those who grew up watching the TV program.
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Bad Idea
SSA and Solo, accompanied
This 2019 song by Ariana Grande will be the next big hit with your women’s choir. With solo opportunities paired with strong, rising vocal writing and an ostinato synth pattern to drive the tempo, this arrangement will heighten the excitement at your next pops concert. Suitable to show off your singers’ vocal skills along with a dash of panache!
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Bang!
Solo and TB, accompanied
The megahit by AJR is now available for your men’s choir! With a soloist leading the pack and a strut that’ll make all the guys groove to the beat, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser! There are even opportunities for singers to be the “hype man” and carry the energy of the song into the following refrain! Arranged into an accessible range and tessitura for your singers to sing their hearts out and not their voices. Here we go!
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Beam Me Up
With a pleading lyric and shuffle groove, this ballad by the artist Pink will be welcomed by your women’s choir to perform. There is an opportunity for an optional solo, or have your entire choir sing that section in unity for the purpose of solidarity.
Boho Days
from Tick, Tick…Boom!
SATB, a cappella
Jonathan Larson, musical theatre composer and lyricist primarily known for writing the worldwide phenomenon musical Rent, also wrote a one-man show Tick, Tick…Boom! This a cappella song was cut from the original off-Broadway production but found its way back when the musical was made into a Netflix movie directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The playfulness of the lyrics is accompanied by an ostinato handclap. Each voice part gets an opportunity with the melody, and intertaction between members of the choir is highly encouraged. Have fun with this arrangement!
Can’t Be Tamed
SSA and Solo, accompanied
From the third studio album by Miley Cyrus comes this electropop thriller for your women’s chorus! In 12/8 meter, the relentless drive from the lyrics and the vigorous melodic movement of the chorus is full of energy that will not back down. With a solo opportunity and only the choir featured on the last measure of music, this song will be great for your women’s choir to perform at your next concert.
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Christmas Song
This song by Dave Matthews touches at the heart of the holiday season with a worldly view that connects the Christmas story and our own lives together. This arrangement features three (3) soloists with an accompanying chorus, creating intricate voice leading and pop-style harmonic builds that your tenor-bass choir will enjoy singing. When the chorus takes over the melody and expands into an eight-part texture that richly supports the lyrics. This rewarding work will delight the audience at your next holiday concert.
Circus
SATB, accompanied
Bring your circus to life with this choral arrangement of the 2008 hit by Britney Spears! Each gender gets their chance to shine with the melody while the other backs them up with emphatic accented notes, and the ending chorus allows a few sopranos to add a descant before the song ends with one final hit. The relentless drive of this song will bring your audience to the dance club!
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Come Alive
from The Greatest Showman
3 Solos and SATB, accompanied
When The Greatest Showman opened in theatres in 2017, the world instantly fell in love with the music and lyrics of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (collectively known as Pasek & Paul). Their work has been featured in other great films such as La La Land and the 2019 remake of Disney’s Aladdin, as well as on stage in shows such as Dear Evan Hansen and Dogfight. Arguably the biggest ensemble song of the movie, “Come Alive” will have your show choir not being able to contain themselves from the impressive lyrics and rhythmic cadences in the vocal lines. This is definitely not one to miss!
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Come Together
SATB, accompanied
Becoming the opening track of their 1969 album Abbey Road, this instant Beatles classic is still well-known today. This arrangement gives one verse to the girls, one verse to the guys, and everybody together for the final verse. An enjoyable filler song for your show choir.
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Coming Home
SATB, accompanied
The band Sheppard’s inspiriational song from 2017 became an instant timeless hit. With hopeful lyrics and an upbeat drive, your choir will love to sing this arrangement on and off the stage. The solo in the bridge section carries the positive feeling to further heights as it soars over the chorus entering with an a cappella rendition of the song’s refrain. Will work best as a closer at your next concert.
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Fighter
Solo and SSA, accompanied
This powerful hit by Christina Aguilera will be a favorite for your women’s choir to perform! The lyrics are suitable for any women’s chorus to perform as an empowering movement to rise above the hate. With lots of different rhythms and voice harmonization that will not be one to shy away from, your audience will feel that same empowerment in the performance.
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Five O’Clock World
Solo and SATB, accompanied
This classic rock song comes from the 1960s vocal group The Vogues, becoming one of their most well-known hits. The song’s positive lyrics of being with your loved one after a hard day’s work have made this a popular standard to listen amongst office workers. It became a theme song for The Drew Carey Show and has been featured in many popular movies. Your choir will love performing this work, bringing some nostalgia to your pops concert.
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Fix You
2 Soloists and SSATBB, accompanied
Internationally-renown a cappella ensemble Naturally 7 brings a new and impressive rendition of this hit by Coldplay. Being a cappella for most of the song, the choir and soloists (with some room for improvisatory singing) take charge in bringing this song to life. This arrangement adapts the setting by Naturally 7 and adds in accompanying instrumentation to give this song more power and support to its universal message – when the instruments come in, get ready to be overwhelmed! An absolute gem will definitely be a crowd favorite!
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Gangsta’s (Gangster’s) Paradise
SATB and Solo, accompanied
When the original song was released in 1995 it became a worldwide sensation, inspiring many artists to create their own covers of this song with their unique twist. Postmodern Jukebox fashioned their version into a 1920’s jazz and cabaret style to illustrate the gangsters of the era, of which this choral arrangement is based. With an easy swing feel and accessible harmonizations, your choir will love to perform this song over and over again.
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Getaway Car
Rap Solo and SATB, accompanied
This funky 2004 song by TobyMac has an invigorating groove that your singers will love. If your students love to rap, there are solo sections for certain choristers to perform and shine in the spotlight. This arrangement includes accesible harmonies for your choir plus a bridge to build the excitement. Have fun with this arrangement! “I need a getaway car, I gotta get out of here fast and far.”
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Good and Evil
from Jekyll & Hyde
Solo and SSA, accompanied
The Broadway musical Jekyll & Hyde tells the story of Dr. Henry Jekyll and his work to find a psychological medical cure for his ailing father and other patients. After the society board declines his final plea to test his theory on a human subject, Dr. Jekyll is taken to a nightclub to phase out his troubles. There he meets the performer Lucy who sings the song “Good and Evil” in her act – this song inspires him to continue his work to test on the patient he never imagined to use…himself. This arrangement will let your women’s choir shine and make a musical impact on your audience.
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Help Me Make It Through the Night
SATB, Solos, and Piano
Originally written by the prolific singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson, this tune has been covered by many artists since its 1970 release. Famed country music and comedian Ray Stevens brought his stylings to a new interpreation of the song, complete with contrasting musical styles and different meanings to each of the lyrics within the song. Your chorus will have the time of their lives performing this song at your next pops concert. It is highly recommended to watch the Ray Stevens music video of this song (available on YouTube) to get a firm grasp of how to perform the many comedic moments without losing momentum of the song. Some solos parts have been revised to become more suitable for today’s audiences, but nonetheless will still be entertaining.
High Hopes
SATB, accompanied
This song by Panic! at the Disco became the megahit of the summer in 2018. With a triumphal introduction by the trumpets and an overall inspiring message for positivity and optimism, there is no way to stop the success of this song’s musicianship and syncopative drum accompaniment. This arrangement features a dance break section leading into a key change, seemingly climbing toward the “higher hopes” we all wish to achieve!
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Hot Hot Hot
TB and Solo, accompanied
Your men’s choir will have a lot of fun with this famous Latin-style pop song! The melody is switched between voice section to put them each in the spotlight, along with a solo opportunity for one of your tenors. The syncopations in the accompaniment will have your singers and audience will not be able to stop dancing a conga line in the aisles and bringing the hot, hot, hot paradise feeling at your next pops concert.
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I Can See Clearly Now
SATB, a cappella
This stand-out hit by Johnny Nash is loved around the world. Since its original 1972 release, many different singers have created their own unique covers of this song including the incredible vocal artist BobbyMcFerrin. This arrangement of McFerrin’s version gives the altos the opportunity to shine with the melody accompanied by the other voices with their driving lines and easy-going harmonies. The text is universal that your singers will love performing this song, and it will be a stand-out hit at your pops concert.
I’m Too Sexy
TBB, accompanied
The dance club hit by the one-hit-wonder group Right Said Fred is now available for your men’s choir to perform. Everybody will go crazy for your male singers as they strut down the catwalk performing this song!
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Let It Go
from Frozen
This outstanding hit from the Disney movie and Broadway musical Frozen gets another artistic flair with this arrangement. Adding wind sounds and some accompanying background vocals, this fresh take of the popular song will give your choir the opportunity to shine and gain the confidence to perform on stage. You will have fun with this instant classic!
Locked Out of Heaven
TTB and Solo, accompanied
The megahit by Bruno Mars is now available for your men’s choir! This arrangement has adapted to using only the lyrics appropriate for school and community performances. Use this song to feature a soloist (bass as written, tenor sing it up an octave) and show your guys how much fun it is to sing and perform!
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Lost Boy
Solo and SATB, accompanied
This song by Ruth B tugs at the heartstrings of every child and parent who finds happiness in their imagination away from a cruel and unforgiving world. Arranged into a nocturnal key center and incorporating Claude Debussy’s Clair de Lune into the opening solo section, this song will become a new-age lullaby for your singers and audiences alike.
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Louder Than Words
from Tick, Tick…BOOM!
Solos, SATB and Piano
From the Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning writer of “Rent” comes this finale from the musical “Tick, Tick…BOOM!”. An autobiographical show focuses on a struggling composer living in New York City, the finale sees the cast comforting the lead composer after he has received a phone call from fellow musical theater writer and icon Stephen Sondheim. The ending has been altered from “Happy Birthday” to “Pomp and Circumstance” (song for graduation) in dedication to the graduating class of 2017.
The Lumberjack Song
from Monty Python
Solos, TTBB and Piano
From the renowned international comedy troupe Monty Python, this song is undoubtedly one of their most famous. A silly song? Indeed yes, but that is what Monty Python is all about. Your men’s chorus will have a fun time performing this arrangement and your audiences will laugh and love it too. Give one of your performers a chance on the solo to convey the high hopes and grandeur (albeit questionable at times) to fulfill his lifelong dream of being…a lumberjack!
A Million Dreams
from The Greatest Showman
SATB Divisi and Solo, a cappella
A standout number from the movie The Greatest Showman, this arrangement creates that dream-like atmosphere for your mixed chorus to perform. The work begins in traditional four-part writing and divides over time to culminate in eight-part voicing, creating a double choir setting in its apex. This adventurous pop ballad by Pasek and Paul (who also wrote Dear Evan Hansen and La La Land) will be a standout at your next pop music concert. Ideal for advanced high school and college ensembles.
Mother-in-Law
Solo and TTBB, a cappella
Do you want your boys to have fun singing? Use this arrangement of the 1960s doo-wop hit by Ernie K. Doe for your men’s chorus. We do love all of our mothers-in-law, so this song should be performed as only a joke.
Natural
Solo and SATB, accompanied
This song by Imagine Dragons instantly became one of their most biggest hits when it was released in the summer of 2018. With inspiring lyrics and a driving percussiveness, your singers will love to perform this work at your pops concert. “‘Cause you’re a natural, a beating heart of stone, you gotta be so cold to make it in this world.”
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The Nicest Kids in Town
from the Broadway musical Hairspray
SATB, accompanied
This rousing number from the Tony Award-winning musical Hairspray will have your singers and audience not be able to help themselves from dancing in the aisles! A great arrangement as an opener or closer. Don’t miss out on this hit!
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Oceano
SATB and Piano
“It’s for the love I give you and for the love you don’t know that makes me wreck, it’s for the love I don’t have and for the love I want, it’s for this pain, it’s for this love that I have for you that makes me get over those real storms.” This moving song performed by Josh Groban, sung entirely in Italian, has a sweeping motion similar to being on the waves of the ocean. A whirlwind arrangement to take you and the audience on a journey over the seas to find love.
Ol’ Man River
from Show Boat
Solo, SATB and Piano
This timeless standard will become an endearing work to your choral concert. Featuring a low bass soloist, your students will love performing this arrangement of the Kern and Hammerstein classic.
On My Way
from Brother Bear
SATB, Tenor Solo, Trio and Piano
This happy number from the 2003 Disney animated film Brother Bear is sure to bring smiles to your audience at your next performance. The folk-like accompaniment is so catchy, even the choir gets to take it over in the middle of the song! With many opportunities to feature your singers including solos and a trio section, this will become a delight for your choir to sing!
Our Ship’s Sinking
SATB, accompanied
Rick Springfield quickly became one of the most enduring rock stars of all time, coming out with hit after hit over his long and storied career. Released with his 18th studio album this song became an inspirational anthem, and this arrangement creatively visualizes its message with supportive voicing and band accompaniment. This arrangement will serve as a great opener or closer to your next pops concert.
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Preludium
from The Sound of Music
SSAA, a cappella
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music” has become a hallmark of the musical theatre stage and the worldwide cinematic landscape. Maria, a young postulant living in Austria during World War II, is sent to be the governess of Captain von Trapp’s seven children. Bringing music back into the household where it was once forbidden, Maria wins over the children and the Captain and together make their escape from the imposing Nazi regime. At the beginning of the show, the nuns in the abbey are singing their morning prayers. This arrangement for a cappella SSAA Chorus is divided into three movements (Chant, Morning Hymn, Alleluia) – it is appropriate to perform all of the movements together.
Rescue Me
SATB, accompanied
This all-time classic by Fontella Bass has been covered many times by famous artists such as Cher, Pat Benatar, even the hit TV show GLEE. This arrangement brings it back to the original with a refreshing choral voicing and opportunities for either a solo or duet. With sections passing the melody back and forth, the choir will not be able to hold back their excitement with their audience and each other at your next pops concert.
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(You Got It) The Right Stuff
TBB and Solo, accompanied
The popular late 80’s pop group New Kids On the Block garnered this chart-topping hit from their second album. With its ear-catching intro and sentimental lyrics stereotypical of the boy bands from the late 20th century, this will be an excellent addition to your pops concert repertoire for your men’s choir. The audience may even want to join the famous dance craze this song inspired!
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School’s Out!
SATB, accompanied
Students around the world will rejoice at the beginning of summer every year with this Alice Cooper hit. Perfect as a show choir opener or closer, your audience will be clapping along and enjoying this fun hard rock anthem to celebrate the end of another school year.
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Shiver My Timbers
from Muppet Treasure Island
TTBB, Solos and Piano
From the 1996 movie Muppet Treasure Island comes this outstanding opening that will have your men’s choir performing as swash-buckling buccaneers! With each voice part getting featured plus some opportunities for solos throughout the song, your tenors and basses as well as your audience will have a fun time with this arrangement! Rrrrrggghhh mateys!
Snow in California
Solo and SATB, a cappella
This choral arrangement brings a doo-wop style to the instant Christmas classic by Ariana Grande. Featuring one or two soloists from your choir, the chorus creates a supportive accompaniment with its easy-going vocal lines and gentle harmonic rhythms. The choir is encouraged to perform the simple ‘step-touch’ dance that most doo-wop groups perform. To help the soloists with the tricky rhythms of the lyrics, I suggest listening to Ariana’s version at a slower tempo until the words become second nature and feeling how each difficult rhythm actually helps lead into the next. Your choir will love to perform this song everywhere during the holiday season.
Survivor
SSA and Solo, accompanied
Girl groups were numerous and successful during the 1990’s, with perhaps the most notorious of these group is Destiny’s Child. With its empowering lyrics and strong yet accessible melody, “Survivor” has become a power anthem for women all around the world. This arrangement heightens the original song with strong harmonic voice leading, unison choir singing, and even a solo opportunity for one of your singers to step into the spotlight and show their skills to your concert audience.
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Susie Q
TTB, accompanied
A commercial success of its time, this rockabilly song first performed by Dale Hawkins has been covered by famous bands including Creedance Clearwater Revival and The Rolling Stones. The song even inspired a 1996 Disney Channel original television movie. The accompaniment easily supports the vocals with its driving guitar motives and accessible harmonies. Your men’s chorus will have a blast singing this song and entertaining the audience at your pops concert.
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They Don’t Care About Us
SATB, accompanied
Michael Jackson wrote this protest anthem in the mid-1990’s and the song reached #30 on the Billboard Top 100. The music includes strong accents and rhythmic cadences to demonstrate a march-like feel to the performance. Though controversial at the time of its release, lyrics including the line “All I wanna say is that they don’t really care about us” is a strong message that should be heard in today’s world.
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This is War
SATB and Solo, accompanied
This hit by Thirty Seconds to Mars brings a unique energy and message. For your mixed choir with a solo opportunity, you will not want to miss out on performing this song!
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Tightrope
SATB, accompanied
The drive of this song will definitely want you to get up and dance! This Janelle Monáe dance hit is a must-have for your school choir. Could be used as an opener or closer to make a bold declaration of not being brought down by other’s lies and deceits. “Then, baby, whether I’m high or low, you gotta tip on the tightrope.”
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The Twelve Pains of Christmas
The perennial Christmas parody song is finally available in an arrangement for your choir! This is a great opportunity to feature members of your choir as soloists, or even members of your community to do the solo parts. The holiday season needs a laugh every once in a while, and this song will be the perfect way of doing so.
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Weird Science
TBB, accompanied
This hit by the band Oingo Boingo (with lead singer Danny Elfman) became an instant classic upon release. Written for the 1985 movie of the same title, this song is definitely alive with loads of fun!
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You Say
Solo and SATB, accompanied
Christian music singer and songwriter Lauren Daigle created an instant hit with audiences around the world with this crossover worship ballad in 2018, breaking the record for spending over 100 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs charts. The song itself is very simple, but paired with the pleading lyrics inspiring moments of devotion the music seems to broaden and encompass the spiritual journeys of both perfomers and audiences. Use this song to feature an alto soloist in your choir.
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You’re Still You
This ballad by Josh Groban will be a beautiful addition for your choir’s repertoire at your next pops concert. The lyrical melody brings its own challenges and rewards for your students to sing.
Score Previews: SATB TB Unison/Two-Part