Applause! - The Music of Charles Strouse: SAB Choral Octavo

Mark Brymer's arrangement captures the theatrical energy and harmonic sophistication of Strouse's melodies while keeping the part writing accessible for SAB voicing. This collection gives choirs a legitimate entry point into Broadway repertoire without sacrificing the polish and musicality that makes these songs endure.

Sophisticated without pretension. These songs carry the optimism and theatrical flair of their original context, with Brymer's writing letting the natural charm and singability of Strouse's melodies shine through.

Choirs seeking quality show music that connects to a golden age of American theater, particularly groups with limited experience in Broadway style or directors building a secular concert repertoire. This works well for festival programming, pops concerts, or spring shows.

• Anchor the SAB voicing by doubling the tenor line; it carries much of the melodic interest and needs clarity in the ensemble sound.
• Lean into the rhythmic precision these songs demand. Broadway articulation is clean and deliberate, not legato.
• Balance accompaniment volume carefully in rehearsal so singers can hear their parts. Many of these arrangements sit in ranges where blend matters more than power.

Pair these selections with light classical or contemporary choral work for a concert that spans musical theater and concert traditions. They also stand alone as a themed set for a show choir or spring pops concert.

• Singing with clear articulation in Broadway idiom
• Balancing theatrical style with ensemble blend
• Reading three-part mixed voicing with confidence
• Interpreting rhythmic precision in syncopated passages