Brand New You (from 13): SATB Choral Octavo

This arrangement captures the vulnerability and honesty that makes 13 resonate with young singers while giving your SATB ensemble genuinely interesting harmonic writing. Roger Emerson's adaptation respects Brown's melodic gift and emotional core without demanding virtuosic technique, making it accessible for high school choirs that want to program contemporary musical theater with real artistic weight.

Reflective and searching, with an underlying current of determination. The song carries the tender energy of a character examining who they want to become, balancing doubt with quiet hope. Brown's harmonic palette feels both modern and emotionally direct, giving singers the chance to inhabit a genuine theatrical moment rather than perform a production number.

High school and advanced middle school choirs ready to program contemporary musical theater with literary and musical substance. This works equally well for concert choirs adding Broadway material to their season and for theatrical groups building a cohesive show.

• Balance the melody line across voice parts as the arrangement passes it around; avoid letting any single voice dominate during the hand-offs.
• Find the emotional truth in the lyrics before you lock the rhythms; this song works when singers understand they're exploring self-reinvention, not just singing notes.
• Shape phrases with intention rather than uniformity. The song's power comes from honest, conversational delivery that avoids excessive vibrato or mannered phrasing.
• Let the harmonic color breathe, especially in the sustained moments. Brown's voicings create their own atmosphere when given space and supported by clear vowel formation.

Program this alongside other contemporary musical theater selections to build a show-focused concert, or use it as a solo piece within a broader choral season. Its moderate length and engaging contemporary style make it ideal for winter or spring concerts where you want to connect with audiences beyond the traditional classical canon.

• Navigating contemporary harmonic language and jazz-influenced chord progressions
• Connecting emotional subtext to vocal delivery and phrasing choices
• Passing melody lines between voice parts with clear communication and blend
• Singing contemporary musical theater material with authenticity rather than stylistic affectation
• Sustaining longer phrases while maintaining clear diction in modern vocal writing