Brand New You (from 13): SSA Choral Octavo

Brown captures the raw vulnerability of adolescence in this song, and Roger Emerson's arrangement preserves that emotional core while making it singable for student choirs. The straightforward SSA writing never feels simplistic; instead, it focuses your singers' energy on nuance, text delivery, and the quiet power of honesty.

Quietly determined. The song carries an undertone of hope beneath its moments of doubt, like someone making a promise to themselves. It's conversational and direct, with the kind of earnest sincerity that cuts through the noise.

Directors seeking repertoire that speaks to teen singers about real teen experiences. The SSA voicing makes it accessible for middle school through early high school choirs, while the emotional maturity appeals to singers who can access genuine introspection.

• Resist the urge to oversell the arrangement. This song works because it feels intimate and real; let the singers' commitment to the lyrics do the heavy lifting rather than pushing for dramatic gestures.
• Attend closely to dynamics marked in the score. Brown's writing often whispers before it speaks, and respecting those soft moments makes the moments of strength feel earned.
• Encourage your soloists and section leaders to find the specific emotional moment they're singing from. The text is personal and specific, and that specificity makes the music resonate.

This works beautifully as a concert opener that sets an introspective tone, or as a set closer that leaves your audience sitting with something real. Pairing it with other contemporary musical theater selections creates a cohesive program that speaks to young musicians' lives.

• Sustaining legit phrasing through rhythmically straightforward material
• Text clarity and emotional honesty in ensemble singing
• Dynamic control and the impact of soft singing
• Interpreting contemporary musical theater harmony in choral context