Broken Wings: SSA Choral Octavo

Eric VanCleave's arrangement respects the song's emotional core while making it genuinely singable for SSA voices. The sensible voice-leading means your singers can focus on the lyrical beauty and phrasing rather than wrestling with awkward octave jumps or rhythmic complexity, and the familiarity of the melody keeps morale high during rehearsals.

The melody unfolds with quiet introspection, supported by warm harmonies that create an intimate rather than grandiose sound. The arrangement respects the song's reflective quality, allowing the lyrical message about resilience and growth to land emotionally with your audience.

This arrangement works well for treble choirs at the middle school, high school, and community level. Directors seeking contemporary repertoire that feels accessible without sacrificing musical substance will find this piece rewards careful rehearsal and delivers strong results in concert.

• Balance the arrangement carefully so that the sustained harmonies underneath don't overwhelm the moving melody line; ask your second sopranos and altos to listen closely to the top voice.
• Shape the phrases with the original recording's dynamics in mind; this song breathes best when singers release tension at phrase endings rather than sustaining through to the next phrase.
• Use the recorded accompaniment during rehearsals to lock the harmonic foundation, then gradually transition singers to singing more independently so they develop confidence in the voice parts.

This octavo fits naturally into a concert exploring contemporary pop repertoire or serving as a reflective moment between higher-energy selections. Its approachability and emotional directness make it an excellent choice for winter or spring concerts where you want to showcase both vocal maturity and musicianship without overwhelming rehearsal schedules.

• Sustaining tone quality across a full phrase while maintaining dynamic control
• Singing moving inner voices that support rather than compete with the melody
• Interpreting contemporary pop songwriting with musical expression
• Blending three-part harmony with attention to intonation in sustained chords