Beat It: SATB Choral Octavo

Mark Brymer's arrangement captures the iconic groove and attitude of the original while giving your SATB choir genuine musical substance to sink their teeth into. This isn't a watered-down version; it respects both the song's kinetic energy and your singers' abilities, making it equally rewarding for high school choirs seeking contemporary repertoire and college groups wanting to expand their pop music literacy.

Propulsive and defiant. The arrangement channels the original's toughness and swagger, with a vocal texture that feels direct and modern rather than reverential. Your singers will feel the bite of the song even as they're learning careful ensemble blend.

Choirs at the high school level and above looking to program contemporary music that challenges singers without alienating audiences. Directors who want their ensembles to develop comfort with syncopation, pop style, and rock grooves will find a student-friendly vehicle here.

• Keep the rhythm section (bass and drums, whether sung or backed by accompaniment) locked and metronomic; any flexibility in the melodic lines reads as sloppiness rather than expression in this style.
• Balance the voices so the melody never disappears, even when all four parts are moving. Jackson's original relies on crisp, present vocal layering.
• Approach the syncopation with confidence rather than hesitation. Singers often second-guess syncopated rhythms; rehearse these passages until they feel as natural as straight rhythms.
• Let the accompaniment track set the texture. This arrangement works best when the choral sound sits inside the production rather than fighting against it.

Pair this with other contemporary pop or rock arrangements to anchor a concert segment that speaks to your audience's musical world. It works particularly well on programs mixing classical and modern work, serving as a bridge that proves your singers are serious musicians regardless of genre.

• Syncopated rhythm reading and performance across all four parts
• Blend and balance in pop/rock style singing
• Rhythmic precision and groove maintenance
• Interpreting contemporary vocal production techniques in a choral setting