Do You Hear The People Sing? (from Les Misérables) (arr. John Leavitt): SAB Choral Octavo

John Leavitt's SAB arrangement captures the anthem's soaring spirit while making it genuinely accessible to developing choirs. The voicing respects the song's revolutionary fervor without requiring altos or tenors to sit uncomfortably high, and the 9-page score leaves room for the kind of dynamic shaping that turns this into a moment rather than just another piece on the concert.

This is music that swells with hope and collective purpose. The melody moves with the inevitability of a great wave, carrying singers and listeners alike toward something larger than themselves. There is grief in it, certainly, but also defiance and an unshakeable belief that change is possible.

Choirs with solid sight-reading skills and at least one year of ensemble experience can tackle this effectively. It works equally well for high school treble choirs, community groups, and adult singers looking for repertoire with real substance and cultural resonance.

• Let the sopranos carry the melody with confidence from the opening, but keep their tone warm rather than strident; this piece needs conviction, not aggression.
• The middle voices (alto and tenor) anchor the harmonic foundation that makes this song feel monumental. Spend rehearsal time ensuring their parts lock rhythmically with the sopranos.
• Balance the dynamic arc carefully across all nine pages. Build gradually toward any climactic moments rather than hitting full volume too early and leaving yourself nowhere to go.
• Pay attention to the text. The lyrics carry the weight of the music, and singers who understand what they are singing about will communicate it far more effectively than those who simply hit the notes.

This belongs in a program that embraces popular music with artistic seriousness. Pair it with other Broadway selections that share emotional depth, or position it as a standalone powerful moment in a concert of diverse styles. Many directors find it ideal for spring concerts or events celebrating social themes.

• Sustaining long lyrical phrases with consistent tone and breath control
• Balancing three independent melodic and harmonic lines
• Interpreting text for emotional meaning and dramatic expression
• Reading 9-page extended arrangements
• Building and releasing dynamic intensity across large formal structures