Cats (Medley) (arr. Ed Lojeski): SAB Choral Octavo

Lojeski's arrangement captures the theatrical energy of Cats while making it genuinely singable for three-part choirs. The medley format gives you recognizable moments that audiences love without requiring the full ensemble weight of SATB, and the 23-page length feels substantial without becoming unwieldy for rehearsal schedules.

You get the feline swagger and mystery of Lloyd Webber's melodies without losing clarity or control. The piece moves between moments of jazz-tinged sophistication and straightforward melodic beauty, keeping singers engaged and audiences entertained from start to finish.

Choirs with developing three-part mixed sections who want repertoire with immediate audience recognition and theatrical appeal. This works equally well for high school choirs, community ensembles, and all-ages groups looking for a Friday night closer that lands with genuine energy.

• Balance the melody line between soprano and alto sections during overlapping phrases; mark your score clearly so singers know when they're carrying the tune versus supporting underneath.
• Treat the tempo markings as theatrical cues rather than metronomic absolutes. The music breathes between sections, so give yourself permission to shape transitions and let moments land before moving forward.
• Tap into the character work of the piece. Each melody suggests a different feline personality, and singers will connect more honestly to the music when they're thinking about movement and attitude rather than just pitches.
• Layer the accompaniment if you have a pianist rather than relying solely on recorded backing tracks. The flexibility of a live accompanist lets you breathe with your singers and adjust tempos in real rehearsal time.

This medley makes an ideal penultimate selection on a spring concert, giving audiences their moment of pure entertainment before you close with something more traditional. It also works beautifully as a standalone pops program feature or as part of a Broadway-themed evening where you want a centerpiece that doesn't demand SATB resources.

• Singing through jazz-influenced harmonies and chromatic voice leading
• Maintaining character and theatrical expression while managing ensemble blend
• Reading and executing rhythmic precision in a medley format with multiple tempo/style changes
• Balancing melody and harmony across three independent parts without full soprano dominance