Don't Start Now: SSA Choral Octavo

Alan Billingsley's arrangement captures the infectious energy of this GRAMMY-nominated track while keeping the vocal writing singable and the arrangement transparent enough for a developing SSA choir. The optional alto solo at the top gives you a natural entry point for featuring a confident vocalist, and the rhythmic clarity of the part-writing makes teaching the syncopation both manageable and fun.

Infectious and celebratory, with the propulsive groove of nu-disco powering everything forward. There's a lightness and playfulness here despite the serious subject matter, and the arrangement sparkles with synth-inspired textures and punctuating moments that make the singers feel like they're part of something modern and alive.

Any SSA choir (or SSAA ensemble singing the SSA voicing) looking to program contemporary popular music that's energetic, well-arranged, and connects with student singers. The accessible range and straightforward harmonic language make it suitable for middle school through adult choirs seeking fresh material beyond traditional choral repertoire.

• Lock the rhythmic precision of the funk baseline with your lower voices; this groove is the foundation everything else builds on, so drilling the rhythm section's syncopation early pays dividends across the entire arrangement.
• If you're using the recorded accompaniment, rehearse without it first to ensure your singers own the harmonic movement and aren't relying on the track to find their parts.
• Shape the dynamic string bursts mentioned in the score by bringing those moments to life with intentional intensity; they're written to cut through, so treat them as climactic moments rather than background texture.
• Feature the alto soloist with confidence and control; this is a moment of independence and attitude in the song's narrative, so encourage that energy in rehearsal and performance.

This works beautifully as a closer or second-to-last piece on a concert where you want to send the audience out with energy and joy. It pairs naturally with other pop arrangements or contemporary choral music, and it's particularly effective on programs exploring identity, resilience, or modern songwriting. Consider programming it alongside other pieces that celebrate confidence and independence.

• Syncopated rhythm reading and execution in pop idiom
• Part independence within a funk-based harmonic structure
• Balancing solo spotlight moments with ensemble cohesion
• Stylistic interpretation of contemporary popular music
• Sustaining groove and forward momentum across extended phrases