Born to Be Somebody (from Never Say Never): SAB Choral Octavo

This arrangement captures the uplift and sincerity of the original without requiring stratospheric vocal demands from your ensemble. The SAB voicing allows mixed choirs of varying ability levels to access a song that genuinely connects with students, especially at graduation when the message about becoming somebody matters most. Mike Taylor's arrangement honors the song's power while building in accessible harmonies that sound cohesive on concert.

Bright and motivational without saccharine sweetness, this power ballad builds from an intimate opening to an affirming ensemble statement. The melodic line soars naturally, and the harmonic language feels modern while remaining grounded in emotional clarity. It sounds like something your students genuinely want to sing.

Mixed choirs (SAB voicing) at the high school or adult community level looking for graduation repertoire that feels current and purposeful. Directors seeking pop literature that combines contemporary appeal with genuine musical substance and accessible part-writing will find this piece particularly useful.

• Balance the soloists and sections carefully during the opening verses; the text needs to land personally before the ensemble enters with full voice.
• Shape the phrase "this world will belong to me" with conviction and lift, avoiding a heavy, forced quality even as dynamics grow.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to establish the contemporary pop groove; students will internalize the style much faster hearing it than reading it.

Program this as a finale for spring concerts or graduation ceremonies, where the message about becoming somebody and claiming your place in the world lands with maximum impact. Pair it with one contrasting choral selection to frame the evening, or use it as a statement piece closing your pops concert segment.

• Singing contemporary pop style with control and expression
• Balancing solo and ensemble textures
• Sustaining emotional narrative across a longer form
• Interpreting modern harmonic movement with accuracy