Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (arr. Tom Campbell): SATB Choral Octavo
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (arr. Tom Campbell) Sheet Music Preview

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (arr. Tom Campbell): SATB Choral Octavo

By Neil Sedaka / By Howard Greenfield / Arranged by Tom Campbell

Item: 35-DS00472494
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$3.20
Description

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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 7
SKU: 35-DS00472494

More about this title

About the Composer: Neil Sedaka

Neil Sedaka emerged as one of the most prolific pop songwriters of the 1950s and 1960s, crafting melodies that combined accessible charm with genuine musical sophistication. His compositions, often written in collaboration with lyricist Howard Greenfield, became standards of the era and continue to demonstrate how pop music can sustain itself across decades through craft and memorable hooks.

Why we love this

Tom Campbell's arrangement captures the infectious energy of the original while giving your SATB section something genuinely singable and fun. The pop sensibility keeps singers engaged, and the seven-page length makes it accessible for groups at various levels without sacrificing musicality or style.

What to expect

Bittersweet and conversational, with just enough melodic sophistication to feel genuine beneath the pop surface. The song's emotional honesty comes through clearly, giving your singers a chance to deliver real sentiment rather than just entertainment.

Who it's for

Directors programming pop or rock standards alongside traditional repertoire, or building a concert around American songwriting classics. Works especially well for groups comfortable with a contemporary style and looking for an audience-pleasing encore or program closer.

How to get the most out of it

  • Keep the rhythm section locked and buoyant; this arrangement thrives on a light, forward-moving feel rather than any heaviness.
  • Balance the melody line so it floats above the harmony without the sopranos having to strain.
  • Pay attention to the lyrical phrasing at phrase endings; resist the urge to hold notes longer than the pop idiom calls for.

How to use it

Pair this with other standards from the 1950s and 1960s to create a program exploring American popular songwriting, or use it as a standalone pop moment in a varied concert. The piece also works beautifully as a spring concert selection when audiences appreciate both musicality and accessibility.

Skills your students will build

  • Pop-inflected phrasing and style awareness
  • Balancing melody and harmony in close voicings
  • Rhythmic precision in syncopated contexts
  • Dynamic control across extended phrases

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