Don't Wanna Lose You: SATB Choral Octavo

This is a genuine pop ballad with architectural clarity. The melody sits well in choir voices, the harmonic progression doesn't overcomplicate the emotional directness of the song, and the optional Spanish text gives you a meaningful programming choice that reflects the song's cultural roots and the story of On Your Feet! Your singers will recognize the tune immediately and invest in the performance because the song matters.

A song built on yearning and determination. The melody conveys vulnerability without sentimentality, and the harmonic language supports a vocal texture that feels intimate even when sung full voice. There's genuine theatrical presence in the writing, shaped by decades of live performance.

Choirs working with contemporary pop repertoire, particularly those seeking material with strong melodic hooks and accessibility for mixed ensembles. Programs featuring songs from musicals, or concerts exploring multicultural American music, will find this both singable and dramatically coherent.

• Balance the upper voices carefully during the sustained sections; altos and tenors can easily disappear under soprano and bass lines if the blend isn't monitored from the start of rehearsal.
• Experiment with the Spanish and English lyrics in separate rehearsals before deciding on your arrangement. Consider whether performing both languages in the same concert would deepen the context for your audience.
• Shape the dynamic curve around the emotional peak rather than hitting full volume too early; this power ballad gains impact from restraint in the verses.

This works equally well as a concert opener that draws immediate audience recognition or as a closing number that leaves an emotional imprint. If you're programming music from musical theatre, it connects naturally to other contemporary vocal writing. The availability of Spanish lyrics makes it particularly valuable for concerts exploring bilingual identity or Latin American cultural contributions to American music.

• Balancing sustained phrase lines across four voices without sacrificing vowel clarity
• Navigating contemporary pop harmonic language and chord progressions
• Code-switching between English and Spanish text with appropriate pronunciation and phrasing
• Building dynamic intensity through ensemble control rather than pushing volume