Breakaway (arr. Alan Billingsley): SAB Choral Octavo

Alan Billingsley's arrangement captures the soaring energy of the original without sacrificing singability across a three-part voicing. The piece sits comfortably in the range of developing singers while maintaining the anthem quality that makes this song resonate with young performers.

Empowering and clear. The piece captures the motivational spirit of the original with straightforward harmonic support that lets the text and melody shine. Singers experience the satisfaction of performing a recognizable song while discovering how thoughtful arrangement enhances rather than diminishes the impact.

Choirs seeking contemporary material that connects with singers in middle school through adult community settings. This arrangement works equally well for choirs building confidence with pop repertoire or looking to diversify concert programming with accessible yet substantial contemporary music.

• Balance the melodic line between Soprano 1 and Alto parts; neither should dominate the emotional core that drives the song forward.
• Keep the rhythmic momentum steady rather than dragging. This pop arrangement thrives on forward motion, even in softer phrases.
• Shape phrases with breath awareness. Long sustained notes benefit from gradual dynamic control rather than hitting and holding one volume level.

Program this as a spring concert anchor or a pop showcase number that connects with audiences beyond traditional choral fans. The eleven-page length and moderate difficulty make it suitable for festival performances or community outreach concerts where reaching diverse listeners matters.

• Maintaining independent melodic lines in three-part voicing
• Phrasing contemporary music with appropriate rhythmic precision
• Balancing familiarity with artistic interpretation of well-known songs
• Blending pop idioms with choral technique