Anyway: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

"Anyway" brings the emotional intelligence of McBride's songwriting into a choral setting that doesn't sacrifice its country roots or vulnerability. Greg Gilpin's arrangement makes this accessible for mixed ensembles while preserving the reflective quality that makes the original so compelling, giving your choir a contemporary piece with genuine substance.

There's a quiet resilience in this piece, a song about moving forward despite uncertainty. The arrangement wraps McBride's reflective melody in supportive harmonies that feel less like traditional four-part writing and more like an intimate conversation happening among voices.

This arrangement works well for mixed choirs, show choirs, and contemporary a cappella groups seeking repertoire that connects with modern audiences without compromising artistic depth. It suits singers who already have a foundation in part independence and are ready to tackle contemporary country idioms.

• Honor the conversational quality of the lyrics; treat this as storytelling rather than pure vocal display, letting the text shape your phrasing and breath placement.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock in the groove early in rehearsal, then gradually reduce dependence on it so your ensemble develops its own rhythmic confidence.
• Shape the dynamic arch deliberately across phrases; this piece builds power through restraint rather than volume, so save your full voice for moments where the text demands it.
• Balance the blend so that the narrative comes through clearly; the song's impact depends on listeners following the emotional arc, not admiring technique.

Consider this for a concert focused on contemporary songwriting or as a moment of emotional truth in a program mixing genres. It pairs well with other country or Americana repertoire, and its intimate character makes it particularly effective as a closing number.

• Singing with conversational phrasing in contemporary idioms
• Maintaining rhythmic precision over country-inflected accompaniment patterns
• Balancing personal expression with ensemble blend
• Interpreting and delivering narrative text with emotional authenticity