Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy (arr. Mark Brymer): Choral Instrumental Pak
As performed by Pentatonix / Arranged by Mark Brymer / Arranged by Kevin Olusola / Arranged by Ben Bram / Arranged by Avriel Kaplan
Item: 35-PK00468376
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Description
Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker" ballet remains a holiday fixture due in large part to its haunting timbre and instantly recognizable musical motifs. Pentatonix arranged a Grammy winning a cappella version in 2014, and this choir adaptation captures the mysterious, moody feel of source material.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00468376
More about this title
About the Artist: Pentatonix
Pentatonix emerged in 2011 as a five-member a cappella ensemble that redefined what vocal-only performance could achieve in contemporary music. Their approach combines intricate layering, rhythmic precision, and tasteful arrangement to transform familiar material into something entirely their own. By 2014, their Grammy-winning rendition of "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" proved that a cappella groups could tackle classical repertoire with genuine artistry and broad appeal.
The group's influence on choral music education extends beyond their commercial success. Their arrangements demonstrate how layered vocal textures can replicate orchestral color, offering directors a model for thinking about blend, balance, and the sonic possibilities within a choir.
Why we love this
Mark Brymer's adaptation preserves the ethereal quality that makes Pentatonix's version so compelling, while the choral instrumental pak format gives you orchestral backing and separation for students to learn against real accompaniment. Singers encounter unconventional harmonic thinking and sophisticated rhythmic layering without losing the accessibility that makes this holiday standard work so well in performance.
What to expect
Cool, crystalline, and unhurried. The arrangement creates space around the melody rather than filling it, which gives singers room to shape phrases with intention. There's a sense of mystery here that resists the jolly associations many holiday pieces carry; instead, it suggests the hush before something magical unfolds.
Who it's for
Any director needing a sophisticated holiday selection for intermediate to advanced choirs. This works equally well for concert choirs seeking contemporary material with classical roots or for a cappella groups wanting to test their ability to work against instrumental accompaniment.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the exposed soprano line carefully against the harmonic voices beneath it. This arrangement thrives when the melody feels vulnerable rather than soaring.
- Lean into the rhythmic precision of the accompaniment; let it anchor your singers' phrasing so the lines don't drift.
- Pay attention to dynamics in the lower voices. Subtle shifts in support change how the soprano melody lands without the soloist needing to push.
- Record a run-through with full ensemble and have singers listen to what their own voice does in context. It corrects a surprising amount of tuning and blend issues on its own.
How to use it
Slot this between heavier choral works to reset the room's energy and give singers a chance to refresh. Its familiarity makes it an excellent bridge piece in a concert that mixes styles and periods, and it pairs naturally with other contemporary a cappella arrangements if you're building a themed set around modern interpretations of classics.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining independent vocal lines against harmonic complexity
- Responding to instrumental accompaniment with precision and flexibility
- Singing exposed passages with control and emotional restraint
- Blending non-traditional harmonies in contemporary a cappella contexts
- Maintaining ensemble cohesion across layered, intricate textures