Cut To The Feeling: Choral Instrumental Pak

Lisa DeSpain's arrangement honors the song's infectious melodic hooks while building genuine harmonic interest that keeps singers engaged. The writing works equally well for mixed or women's ensembles, giving you flexibility in casting, and the inclusion of instrumental parts means your jazz band or pit ensemble can join the celebration without requiring a backing track.

Bright, propulsive, and utterly contemporary. The arrangement captures the song's essential buoyancy while adding the harmonic sophistication that makes choral pop writing rewarding rather than trivial. Performing this feels current without feeling compromised.

Choirs seeking repertoire that connects with student musicians and audiences without sacrificing musical substance. This works for intermediate to advanced groups comfortable with contemporary pop arranging and eager to perform something current and recognizable.

• Balance the pop groove against the tendency to push the tempo. The pocket lives in restraint, not rush.
• Layer the vocal parts during rehearsal so singers understand how their line functions within the texture before putting it all together.
• If using the instrumental parts, rehearse with them early enough that singers can lock into the groove and stop relying on the piano reduction.

Feature this on a concert celebrating contemporary songwriting or program it alongside other recent pop arrangements for a "Now" themed set. The recognition factor makes it an excellent choice for spring concerts or events where you want familiar material that still showcases your ensemble's musical craftsmanship.

• Singing contemporary pop style with musicality and control
• Balancing melody and background vocal textures
• Rhythmic precision in a groove-based context
• Ensemble cohesion across multiple vocal lines
• Working with instrumental accompaniment