Cool Kids: SATB Choral Octavo

Alan Billingsley's arrangement captures the infectious energy and radio-friendly appeal of the original without oversimplifying the harmonic foundation. The piece sits comfortably for mixed voices while maintaining the pop aesthetic your singers already know, making it an ideal bridge between contemporary repertoire and choral literature.

The piece radiates the restless, wistful energy of the original recording: bright and propulsive in its rhythmic drive, yet tinged with the yearning expressed in its central message. Echosmith's indie-pop sensibility comes through in open, modern harmonies that feel fresh alongside traditional choral arrangements.

This octavo suits choral programs seeking contemporary, student-friendly repertoire that doesn't compromise musical substance. Directors working with intermediate to advanced mixed choirs will find it accessible to learn quickly while still offering meaningful ensemble work.

• Emphasize the conversational, conversant tone in the lyrics; this isn't formal choral music, so encourage your singers to connect authentically with the text rather than adopting a traditional choral demeanor.
• Balance the driving rhythmic figures in the accompaniment with clear, buoyant articulation from all voice parts to prevent the arrangement from feeling sluggish.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock your ensemble's phrasing and groove, especially in sections with syncopated rhythmic figures that differ from traditional hymnal patterns.
• Shape the dynamics thoughtfully around the melodic hooks so key phrases (particularly the hook itself) land with clarity and impact without requiring extreme volume.

Position this in a concert as a palate cleanser between classical or art song cycles, or program it as part of a dedicated pop choral set that appeals to younger audiences and showcases your ensemble's range. Its platinum-record status and instant recognizability make it especially effective as an engagement piece early in a concert.

• Rhythmic precision in syncopated pop idioms
• Balancing homophonic and call-and-response textures
• Stylistic contrast between legit choral singing and contemporary pop delivery
• Connecting emotional content to melodic phrasing in modern repertoire