After The Love Has Gone (arr. Ruud Verkoeijen): SATB Choral Octavo

This arrangement captures the sophisticated funk sensibility of the original while staying thoroughly singable for SATB voices. Ruud Verkoeijen's voicing maintains the song's emotional core—that perfect balance of groove and heartfelt lyricism—without demanding superhuman ranges from your singers. Programming a contemporary pop standard with this level of musical substance gives your concert real depth.

The piece carries the elegant melancholy of the original track; there's groove and forward motion, but underneath lies genuine emotional vulnerability. Singers will find themselves caught between the irresistible funk pocket and the ache of the lyrical content, creating a performance that feels both joyful and reflective.

This octavo suits choirs with some rhythmic sophistication and vocal maturity. It works for high school concert choirs and college ensembles seeking contemporary repertoire that takes popular music seriously.

• Anchor the rhythm section early in rehearsal by isolating the bass line and percussion from the vocal parts; this tune lives and dies by pocket and precision.
• Layer the harmonies gradually rather than teaching all four parts simultaneously; get the melody sitting confidently before adding the richness of the voicings.
• Pay attention to the vowel shapes during runs and syncopated passages, where lazy diction can blur the funk feel.
• Balance the SATB blend by listening for moments where the arrangement thickens; some sectional balancing may be needed to keep the groove from feeling muddy.

Pair this with other sophisticated pop arrangements to program a "hits done right" concert segment, or use it as a bridge piece between your classical repertoire and contemporary music offerings. It's substantial enough to hold its own on a spring concert and gives audiences the pleasure of recognizing a beloved song.

• Syncopated rhythmic accuracy in funk and contemporary pop styles
• Balancing groove and lyrical expression simultaneously
• SATB voice leading through jazz-influenced harmonic progressions
• Stylistically appropriate diction for R&B and soul-influenced music