Beat It (arr. Stefan Flügel): SSSAA Choral Octavo

Stefan Flügel's arrangement respects the propulsive energy of the original while crafting something genuinely singable across five parts. The SSSAA voicing opens this iconic track to groups with limited alto depth, and the a cappella setting puts the focus squarely on precision and vocal blend where it belongs.

Direct and propulsive, with the swagger and attitude of the original intact. Vocally, it demands precision and ensemble cohesion; there's nowhere to hide in a cappella writing, but that's exactly what makes nailing it so satisfying.

Choirs seeking contemporary repertoire that carries real cultural weight without sacrificing musicality. This works for high school and college groups comfortable with pop idioms and looking to expand beyond traditional classical literature.

• Lock in the rhythmic foundation by drilling the bass layer independently until the pulse feels inevitable rather than followed.
• Isolate the upper three soprano parts to ensure they're balancing with clarity; this arrangement will feel loose if the sopranos aren't unified.
• Shape the dynamics across the arc of the piece rather than treating each section identically; the arrangement likely has narrative moments that reward restraint and building intensity.
• Record sectional rehearsals and listen back with students present. Hearing the blend and balance from a listener's perspective, not a singer's perspective, accelerates refinement.

Program this alongside other pop or contemporary arrangements to signal that your choir takes modern music seriously. It lands particularly well in concerts aimed at attracting younger audiences or in mixed-genre programs where it can energize a set without feeling out of place.

• Rhythmic precision in syncopated pop idioms
• Maintaining independence within complex five-part textures
• Vocal blend and balance in a cappella settings
• Stylistic interpretation of contemporary music
• Breath management in high-energy arrangements