Defying Gravity (from Wicked) (arr. Deke Sharon): SSAA Choral Octavo
Defying Gravity (from Wicked) (arr. Deke Sharon) Sheet Music Preview

Defying Gravity (from Wicked) (arr. Deke Sharon): SSAA Choral Octavo

By Stephen Schwartz / Arranged by Deke Sharon / Edited by Anne Raugh

Item: 35-DS01493611
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Description

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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 6
SKU: 35-DS01493611

More about this title

About the Composer: Stephen Schwartz

Stephen Schwartz has shaped American musical theater across five decades with work that spans from children's entertainment to Broadway's most ambitious productions. His gift for writing music that serves character development while remaining singable for performers of all levels makes his scores enduring teaching tools in choral programs.

Why we love this

Deke Sharon's arrangement preserves the soaring defiance of the original while making it accessible for SSAA ensembles without sacrificing the anthem quality that makes this song resonate with singers. The part writing sits comfortably in a practical range, and the a cappella setting lets your singers own every moment of the text's emotional weight.

What to expect

Defiant, intimate, and soaring. The song pulses with the energy of someone choosing freedom and refusing to apologize, yet the a cappella voicing keeps it personal and human rather than orchestral spectacle.

Who it's for

High school and collegiate women's choirs seeking repertoire with genuine emotional substance and contemporary relevance. Directors programming Broadway alongside standard choral literature will find this pairs naturally with both pop arrangements and art song in a concert.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the opening phrases with a conversational tone before the big moments arrive; this makes the climactic moments land harder.
  • Balance the soprano line against the harmonic foundation in the lower voices so the melody reads clearly without oversinging.
  • Rehearse the rhythmic precision in the sections where parts move together; rhythmic lock makes the a cappella texture sound intentional rather than uncertain.
  • Explore dynamics beyond piano and forte. The arch of this song depends on nuanced changes that build tension and release.

How to use it

This works equally well as a standalone showcase piece or as part of a thematic program exploring songs about agency and transformation. The contemporary musical theater context makes it a natural bridge between traditional choral works and popular music your students actually listen to.

Skills your students will build

  • Maintaining intonation and blend in a cappella settings across sustained phrases
  • Shaping longer musical lines with strategic dynamics and phrasing
  • Expressing character and emotion through text delivery while managing ensemble coordination
  • Reading and performing in mixed meters and syncopated rhythmic figures

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