As It Was (arr. Mark Brymer): SSA Choral Octavo

Mark Brymer's arrangement captures the song's emotional core while making it genuinely singable for SSA voices. The piece sits at a level where high school choirs can sound polished without requiring a roster of soloists, and the contemporary pop origin gives students immediate investment in the material.

Intimate and reflective despite its pop origins. The arrangement honors the song's introspective lyrical content while maintaining enough contemporary energy to keep students engaged; it sits in that sweet spot where accessible doesn't mean simplistic.

Choirs seeking contemporary repertoire with genuine emotional substance rather than novelty appeal. It works for developing and advanced SSA groups who benefit from singable voicing that doesn't diminish the song's impact.

• Balance the upper voices so the melody emerges clearly without forcing; this arrangement rewards subtle dynamic shaping over belting
• Set the groove early with your rhythm section or accompaniment track; the pocket matters more than perfect precision with the click
• Let breath points breathe. Brymer's phrasing invites natural placement that supports the lyrics' storytelling, not metronomic regularity

Consider this for a spring concert focused on modern vocal music, or pair it with other contemporary pop arrangements to create a thematic set that appeals to younger audience members. It also serves well as a morale builder mid-season when students need material that feels current and personally meaningful.

• Phrasing pop melodies with expressive intent rather than rigid rhythm
• Balancing independent voice parts in a three-part texture
• Interpretation of contemporary song lyrics with emotional authenticity
• Ensemble cohesion when singing from recorded accompaniment tracks