Don't Stop Me Now (arr. Richard Salt): SSATB Choral Octavo

Richard Salt's arrangement captures the infectious energy and layered vocal texture that made the original such a phenomenon, but strips it down to essential parts that let your singers shine. The voicing sits beautifully for mixed choirs while maintaining that signature Queen swagger that audiences immediately recognize.

This is pure optimism and forward momentum. The arrangement pulses with the kind of infectious energy that makes singers want to lock in together, supported by harmonies that feel both singable and rich. There's genuine joy in the writing that translates immediately to an audience.

Choirs looking to program contemporary repertoire that connects with audiences of all ages, from middle school groups building confidence with pop arrangements to community choirs seeking approachable yet sophisticated material. The arrangement scales well for groups with mixed voice availability.

• Keep the rhythm section locked tight; this song lives in its groove, and any sluggishness will drain the momentum that makes it work.
• Balance the SAA voicing carefully so the soloistic top line reads clearly over the harmonic foundation beneath it.
• Lean into the confidence of the lyric. Freddie Mercury's delivery was all about conviction, and your singers should match that attitude in their phrasing and articulation.
• Use the dynamic shape to build intensity through the piece; resist the urge to sing at full volume from the start.

Pair this with other contemporary or classic rock arrangements to create a thematic concert section that demonstrates how popular music can sustain artistic arrangement and interpretation. It works equally well as an energetic closer or a mid-concert pick-me-up that breaks up a more formal program.

• Balancing multiple vocal lines within a homophonic texture
• Maintaining rhythmic precision in pop/rock idioms
• Shaping phrasing for lyrical clarity within an ensemble setting
• Responding to harmonic sophistication in contemporary arrangements