Armor (arr. Audrey Snyder): SSA Choral Octavo

Audrey Snyder's arrangement translates Bareilles' introspective songwriting into a piece that sits perfectly in the SSA range without sacrificing the emotional core of the original. The 14-page score gives singers enough substance to dig into without becoming unwieldy, and the contemporary pop idiom speaks directly to student performers who already know this artist's work.

The arrangement wraps itself around you like the song title suggests, building from intimate vulnerability into something stronger and more resolved. Snyder's harmonies deepen the introspection of the original, adding classical choral texture to Bareilles' modern sensibility.

SSA or SSAA choirs at the middle school through adult community level looking for contemporary repertoire that connects to students' musical lives. The piece works for directors who want to program current pop music without relying on backing tracks or simplified versions.

• Pay attention to the vocal line's natural phrasing and breath points; Snyder's arrangement respects Bareilles' original phrasing, so honor where the melody wants to breathe rather than forcing subdivision into the bar line.
• Balance the three parts so the melody reads clearly even when all voices are singing. SSA voicing can blur if the soprano section isn't slightly forward and the lower parts provide harmonic support without oversinging.
• Treat the text with the same vulnerability the original recording conveys. This arrangement works when singers understand they're singing about protection and resilience, not just executing notes.

Include this on a concert that pairs contemporary pop with other modern vocal music, or program it as a centerpiece for a set exploring identity and personal strength. The accessible range and emotional resonance make it suitable for spring concerts, cabaret-style programming, or community performances where the audience already appreciates Bareilles' artistry.

• Singing contemporary pop idioms with stylistic accuracy
• Balancing three-part harmony while maintaining melodic clarity
• Interpreting emotional subtext and applying it to vocal tone production
• Reading standard SSA voicing across multiple page turns