Reg Presley was the lead vocalist and primary songwriter for The Troggs, the British rock band behind the 1966 hit "Wild Thing." His songwriting combined infectious melodies with straightforward, memorable hooks that made songs instantly appealing to broad audiences. Beyond his work with The Troggs, Presley wrote "Love Is All Around," which became the theme song for the 1994 film Love Actually and remains one of the most recognizable Christmas movie songs in popular culture.
Why we love this
Roger Emerson's arrangement captures the warmth and sincerity of the original without requiring your choir to navigate complex harmonies or extended ranges. The song's infectious optimism makes it a crowd pleaser at holiday concerts, and its narrative quality gives singers something emotionally genuine to perform rather than just hitting notes.
What to expect
Warmth, sincerity, and infectious joy define this arrangement. The melody sits comfortably in the middle range, creating a conversational intimacy that invites audiences to sing along mentally if not vocally. There's an underlying hopefulness here that transcends the holiday season, making it feel genuine rather than obligatory.
Who it's for
Choirs of all levels performing holiday concerts will find this accessible and instantly recognizable. Both high school singers and community choruses can execute this arrangement effectively, making it ideal for programs where you want a song that feels both contemporary and festive.
How to get the most out of it
Lean into the lyrical storytelling. This song works best when singers genuinely connect with the message rather than treating it as a technical exercise.
Maintain consistent energy across all four parts so the arrangement doesn't feel front-loaded to the sopranos; the other voice parts carry essential melodic material.
Let the recorded accompaniment guide your tempo choices, but resist the urge to rush through faster passages. The song benefits from a relaxed, confident pace.
Balance sentimental delivery with forward momentum. Linger on key phrases emotionally without allowing the song to drag.
How to use it
Open a holiday concert with this piece to establish an approachable, joyful tone, or use it as a transition moment between more formal seasonal arrangements and lighter fare. Its familiarity also makes it excellent for community sing-alongs or as a final encore when you want the audience leaving in high spirits.
Skills your students will build
Sustaining lyrical phrases across longer melodic lines
Part independence while maintaining harmonic cohesion
Balancing comfort with emotional authenticity in familiar material
Blending registers across the choir without sacrificing diction
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