Cold As Ice (arr. Robert Ramaker): SAATB Choral Octavo

Ramaker's SAATB arrangement unlocks the emotional power of this 1977 ballad without requiring your singers to navigate extreme ranges or overly complicated voiceleading. The five-part texture creates genuine harmonic richness while keeping the iconic melody recognizable, making this a smart choice for mixed choirs that want contemporary repertoire with real substance.

Cold, distant, and emotionally vulnerable all at once. The harmonic density and sustained vocal lines create an intimate, introspective quality that transforms the song from its radio-friendly origins into something more chamber-like and contemplative.

Mixed choirs at the intermediate to advanced level who want contemporary rock repertoire that sounds sophisticated and feels rewarding to perform. Directors looking to program recognizable music that connects with audiences while offering genuine pedagogical substance will find this arrangement delivers on both fronts.

• Balance the upper voices carefully during the sustained harmonic passages; sopranos and altos should support rather than dominate.
• Shape the dynamic arc across longer phrases rather than treating each measure as isolated; this ballad lives in the space between stillness and intensity.
• Let the rhythm section breathe. Resist the urge to rush the slower sections; the song's power comes from restraint and space.
• Work the diction as a choir; the lyrics carry emotional weight, so clean consonants and vowel consistency will deepen the performance.

Program this as a ballad moment in a set of contemporary pop arrangements, or pair it with other 1970s and 1980s rock repertoire to create a themed concert. The 93 pages suggest this is a substantial work; use it as the emotional centerpiece of a mixed choir concert rather than a shorter opening number.

• Reading and sustaining SAATB voicing across longer harmonic passages
• Balancing blend in five-part textures without sacrificing individual voice independence
• Maintaining steady intonation in sustained, exposed harmony sections
• Shaping dynamic and emotional arcs across extended phrases
• Connecting lyrical meaning to harmonic and melodic content in contemporary repertoire