Butterflies: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

Andy Beck's arrangement captures the intimacy and harmonic sophistication of Musgraves' original composition while making it singable for mixed choir. The piece sits at that sweet spot where contemporary songwriting meets choral literacy, giving your singers repertoire they actually want to perform.

Gentle and introspective, with moments of warmth and tenderness. The piece invites singers to explore lyrical storytelling through a modern lens while maintaining the harmonic interest that makes choral singing rewarding.

Choirs seeking contemporary repertoire with strong melodic content and approachable harmonies. This arrangement works well for groups tackling pop-influenced choral music for the first time, as well as more experienced ensembles looking to program songs their singers recognize and connect to emotionally.

• Balance the recorded accompaniment so it supports rather than overwhelms your singers; use it as a rehearsal tool to lock harmonies before pulling it back in performance.
• Pay attention to the song's emotional arc by shaping phrase dynamics subtly; let the lyrics breathe rather than pushing too hard at high points.
• Work for clean vowel unification across all voice parts, especially in the sustained chords where tuning vulnerabilities become audible.

This works beautifully in a concert celebrating contemporary songwriting or as a poignant closing number that shifts the mood toward reflection. It also serves as an excellent bridge between traditional choral repertoire and popular music, helping audiences connect with your choir's artistic range.

• Singing contemporary harmonic language with pop-influenced chord progressions
• Maintaining tuning in sustained chords across multiple voice parts
• Interpreting lyrics with emotional authenticity in a choral context
• Balancing individual melodic lines within ensemble textures