Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) (Arr. Berty Rice): Choral Octavo

Berty Rice's arrangement respects the original's emotional core while creating genuine vocal textures that challenge singers beyond simple melody doubling. The ten pages suggest real harmonic development, making this far more rewarding than a stripped-down pop cover while still honoring what made the song resonate with audiences.

The piece carries an ache that stems from unflinching honesty rather than melodrama. Singers and listeners encounter genuine emotional stakes, the kind that emerges when a simple melody is surrounded by thoughtful, sensitive harmonies that deepen rather than decorate the sentiment.

Choirs with solid blend and a comfortable alto section will find this accessible yet musically substantial. It works for secular concert programming, especially when you need a contemporary piece that doesn't condescend to student singers or audiences.

• Balance the vulnerability in the melody line; this isn't a power ballad but an intimate confession, so restraint in dynamics shapes the arc more effectively than pushing volume.
• Lock the harmonic foundation early in rehearsals, as the supporting voices carry the emotional weight and need security before the soloist can shape the melody with nuance.
• Reference the original recording for phrasing and rubato, but encourage singers to find moments where the arrangement diverges and use those moments to create textural interest rather than mimicking.

Place this in a set of 1980s and 1990s pop standards to show how that era produced songs with real staying power. It pairs well with other Collins material or ballads from his contemporaries, creating a thematic block that appeals to audiences while demonstrating your choir's range beyond classical repertoire.

• Singing sustained legit tone in contemporary music contexts
• Balancing blend while maintaining clarity in pop harmonic writing
• Interpreting rubato and dynamic shaping in non-classical texts
• Reading and executing divided voicing in secular arrangements