Benj Pasek and Justin Paul have established themselves as composers and lyricists with a gift for creating emotionally resonant theater music that resonates across diverse audiences. Their work on The Greatest Showman introduced millions to their songwriting, blending contemporary musical sensibility with accessible, singable melodies. In education settings, their arrangements have become go-to selections for choirs seeking material that engages students while delivering genuine artistic merit.
Why we love this
Mark Brymer's arrangement captures the infectious energy and driving momentum of the original while tailoring it thoughtfully for SATB voicing. The piece sits in a sweet spot for high school and community choirs: it's immediately engaging for singers and audiences alike, yet musically substantive enough to hold your rehearsal's attention across multiple run-throughs. The soaring melodic line and rhythmic vitality make this a choir morale booster that doesn't sacrifice musicality.
What to expect
A surge of optimism and defiance. The piece pulses with theatrical energy and celebratory spirit, built on a foundation of urgent, driving rhythms that push singers forward. There's an almost cinematic quality to the arrangement, where individual voice parts contribute to a vivid, layered soundscape.
Who it's for
High school and community choirs looking for contemporary repertoire with genuine audience appeal. This works equally well for groups tackling musical theater arrangements for the first time and ensembles comfortable with more rhythmically active material.
How to get the most out of it
Establish the rhythmic pulse early in rehearsals using the recorded accompaniment to lock the ensemble's collective groove. This piece thrives on rhythmic precision and forward momentum.
Highlight the soprano line as your anchor, especially through the key moments where the melody leaps or sustains. Support singers need clarity on how they enter around and under that primary voice.
Pay attention to the text rhythm in the verse sections. The lyrical phrasing often pushes against the strict beat, which creates lift if singers understand the intended pushes and releases.
Balance the parts during section overlaps and harmonic thickening. The arrangement builds in layers, and clarity of individual voice parts during crescendo moments prevents muddiness.
How to use it
Pair this with other contemporary selections to showcase your choir's range and relevance, or program it during a spring concert where audiences expect high-energy, feel-good repertoire. It also serves as an excellent ensemble-building tool for groups still developing cohesion, since the rhythmic drive and familiar melody pull singers together naturally.
Skills your students will build
Rhythmic precision in syncopated figures and dotted rhythms
Sustaining forward momentum and energy across longer phrases
Balancing independent voice parts during harmonic layering and crescendos
Shaping contemporary vocal phrasing that sits between rhythmic grid and lyrical expression
Listening to and blending with neighboring voice parts in a rhythm-driven arrangement
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