Crocodile Rock (arr. Roger Emerson): SAB Choral Octavo

Roger Emerson's SAB arrangement captures the infectious energy and rhythmic drive of the original without losing the song's immediate appeal. It's sophisticated enough to demand real musicianship from your singers while remaining fun to rehearse and perform, which is exactly what makes a pop song work in choral context.

Pure 1970s exuberance wrapped in a bouncing, irresistible groove. The song practically moves your choir on its own momentum; singers feel the propulsive energy the moment they lock into the rhythmic framework.

Choirs looking for contemporary repertoire that connects with singers and audiences alike will find genuine musical substance here, not just novelty. The SAB voicing makes it accessible to mixed ensembles without sacrificing the arrangement's musicality.

• Lock in the rhythmic groove early; this arrangement lives on the backbeat, and precision there pays immediate dividends.
• Balance the vocal lines so the melody stands out, but let the countermelodies breathe in the chorus sections where they support the main idea.
• Lean into the rock sensibility with your diction and articulation rather than softening it into pure legit singing; these lyrics demand character and attitude.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to establish tempo and feel, then gradually pull back its volume in rehearsals so singers own the rhythm themselves.

This works beautifully as a concert closer or as the opener to a pop medley that lets you showcase your choir's contemporary side. It's also ideal for educational settings where you want to teach proper rhythmic execution and ensemble balance using material students genuinely enjoy.

• Rhythmic precision in rock and pop idioms
• Balancing melodic and harmonic lines in three-part writing
• Interpreting articulation and style beyond classical traditions
• Ensemble synchronization with a strong backbeat