Blinding Lights (arr. Mark Brymer): SAB Choral Octavo

Mark Brymer's SAB arrangement captures the kinetic energy of this Weeknd hit while keeping the voicing manageable for mixed choirs. The chart respects what made the original so radio-friendly (that infectious synth hook translated brilliantly for voices) while building in moments where your section singers get to breathe and shine individually.

Infectious and modern, with the kind of stripped-down urgency that comes from a cappella performance. The arrangement preserves the original's pulsing energy while giving your singers moments of intimacy and vulnerability between the bigger moments. It's the sound of a pop hit distilled to its emotional core.

Choirs seeking contemporary pop repertoire that feels current without demanding superhuman vocal ranges or excessive studio production. Secondary singers and less experienced ensembles will appreciate the accessible voicing, while stronger choirs can push the interpretive and rhythmic nuance further.

• Keep the pulse driving forward without rushing. This song lives in the push-and-pull between rhythmic precision and natural phrasing; anchor your tenors and basses on the beat while sopranos and altos find the melodic curves above them.
• Lock the vowel colors across the sections, especially during the unison or near-unison passages. The arrangement's clarity depends on your singers hearing each other with absolute consistency.
• Let the percussion or rhythm section carry the groove in early rehearsals, then gradually pull that scaffolding back. Your singers should feel the pocket, not just mark time.
• Pay attention to the balance in the SAB texture. Altos often carry harmonic weight here; make sure they're heard without overpowering the sopranos.

This works beautifully as a closer on a concert mixing classic pop covers with show choir or contemporary arrangements. It also serves as a high-energy piece for recruitment events, where students often respond instantly to music they know and love. Consider programming it alongside other modern pop charts to create a set that showcases your choir's versatility and relevance.

• Maintaining rhythmic precision in syncopated passages while singing over percussion
• Blending vowels consistently across three-part harmony in a pop idiom
• Sustaining a groove-centered style distinct from classical diction and phrasing
• Reading and executing complex rhythm patterns that sit between melody and accompanying voices
• Building confidence with recognizable contemporary music