Cut To The Feeling: SAB Choral Octavo

Lisa DeSpain's arrangement captures the high-energy propulsion of Jepsen's original without losing the pop sophistication that makes the song memorable. The SAB voicing opens this track to ensembles of varying sizes and skill levels while maintaining the punch and radio-friendly appeal that students actually want to sing.

Upbeat and infectious, "Cut To The Feeling" radiates the kind of melodic confidence and rhythmic clarity that defines modern pop production. The three-part texture creates a lean, punchy sound that feels effortless and bright, capturing the optimistic energy of falling in love at first sight.

Choirs seeking contemporary material that engages students without compromising musicianship will find this arrangement ideal. It works equally well for middle school ensembles looking for a confidence-building pop hit and high school groups wanting to round out a concert program with something current and fun.

• Keep the rhythmic momentum steady throughout; this arrangement thrives on forward motion, so resist the urge to settle into a slower pulse even when balancing precision in the voice parts.
• Lock the syllabic text delivery across all three parts so the pop sensibility comes through cleanly, treating the choir more like a pop ensemble than a classical one.
• Balance the alto and bass lines equally with the soprano melody; they drive the harmonic and rhythmic interest and shouldn't disappear behind the top line.
• Lean into the production values of the original by paying attention to any dynamic contrasts marked in the score; pop arrangements often rely on subtle shifts rather than dramatic ones.

This works beautifully as a closer or opening number for a pops concert, or as the contemporary centerpiece in a mixed repertoire program. It also serves as an excellent bridge between classical and popular music for audiences skeptical about modern arrangements, demonstrating how the same musicianship principles apply across genres.

• Pop style articulation and rhythmic precision
• Balancing melody-driven writing with supporting harmonic parts
• Reading and executing syncopated rhythms common in contemporary music
• Maintaining ensemble cohesion in three-part texture without conductor dependency