Africa (arr. Emily Crocker): TB Choral Octavo

Emily Crocker's arrangement captures the infectious groove and infectious energy of this 1982 hit while making it accessible to developing singers. The TB voicing options give you flexibility to cast this with your actual roster, and the arrangement respects the song's iconic melodic hooks without oversimplifying the harmonic sophistication underneath.

Warm, grooving, and instantly familiar. The arrangement invites your singers into a piece they likely know, then reveals the harmonic and rhythmic details that make this songwriting remarkable. It's the kind of piece that builds energy in rehearsal as singers discover how clever the parts are.

Choirs seeking contemporary repertoire that connects with singers and audiences alike. Directors who want to program a recognizable hit without sacrificing musical substance or vocal pedagogy.

• Lock the rhythmic precision early in rehearsal. This arrangement thrives on tight ensemble work, especially in the syncopated rhythmic figures that drive the tune.
• Balance the low voices carefully when the bass line sits beneath sustained upper harmonies. The groove depends on clarity in the foundation.
• Let the tenors own the main melody without overwhelming it. Crocker's orchestration supports without drowning the line out.
• Capture the song's laid-back pocket feel. Rhythmic accuracy matters, but the groove should feel relaxed and confident rather than mechanically precise.

Program this alongside other contemporary pop arrangements to create a set that resonates with younger audiences and demonstrates your choir's range. It works equally well in a pops concert, a spring show, or a community engagement event where accessibility and musicality both matter.

• Singing syncopated rhythms with precision and independence
• Balancing harmonic function across multiple voice parts
• Maintaining groove while executing written rhythmic figures
• Building awareness of how popular music arranging differs from classical voicing