Chosen Family (arr. Wendy Sergeant): SATB Choral Octavo

Wendy Sergeant's arrangement transforms a modern pop song into a genuinely moving choral work without stripping away its emotional core. The five-page octavo sits squarely in the sweet spot where contemporary material meets singable voicing, giving your choir a piece that feels fresh and relevant while remaining technically accessible.

Warm and affirming, with an underlying current of vulnerability. The harmonic language feels modern without being inaccessible, and the text's celebration of chosen family creates an immediate emotional connection that resonates with singers and audiences alike.

Choirs seeking contemporary repertoire that speaks to their singers' lives will find this arrangement both relevant and rewarding. It works equally well for high school ensembles, community choirs, and college groups looking to diversify their concert programming.

• Balance the homophonic sections carefully so no single voice dominates; the power comes from the blend, not from individual soloists.
• Find the natural speech rhythms in the lyrics during rehearsal to avoid a metronomic feel, especially in moments with sustained harmonies.
• Let the accompaniment breathe with you rather than fighting against it; this piece rewards ensemble listening and responsiveness.

Pair this with other contemporary pop arrangements or place it strategically in a concert that explores themes of connection and belonging. It works beautifully as a concert closer or as part of a set focusing on music from the past five years.

• Singing contemporary pop idioms in a choral setting
• Balancing full SATB voicing in homophonic writing
• Maintaining emotional authenticity while reading notation
• Responding to modern accompaniment textures