Don't Wanna Lose You: SAB Choral Octavo

Greg Gilpin's arrangement captures the emotional core of this power ballad while keeping the voicing accessible for three-part mixed ensembles. The optional Spanish lyrics open a genuine conversation about bilingual performance and cultural authenticity, moving beyond tokenistic programming into something your singers will connect with on a deeper level.

This is a ballad that builds quietly beneath a confession of vulnerability. The arrangement respects the intimacy of the original while expanding it into lush vocal harmonies, creating moments where the choir can hold genuine pathos without sliding into sentimentality.

Directors programming concerts with contemporary repertoire, especially those seeking pieces that resonate with modern audiences and offer cultural relevance. Choirs at the high school level and beyond will find the three-part voicing manageable while the emotional maturity of the text demands singers who can sustain legit phrasing.

• Balance the melody in soprano against rich harmonic support from alto and bass; the song thrives when all three parts feel equally present rather than soprano-driven.
• If you're incorporating Spanish lyrics, invest rehearsal time in authentic pronunciation and phrasing. The language should feel native to your singers, not added as an afterthought.
• The recorded accompaniment works best as a rehearsal tool early on; consider performing with live piano to heighten the emotional immediacy of this ballad.

Pair this with other contemporary pop arrangements to create a cohesive set that speaks to your ensemble's strengths, or position it as a standalone moment of emotional contrast in a program dominated by classical or show music. It works particularly well in spring concerts or as a closing number when you want to leave the audience with something resonant and current.

• Sustained legit singing across a wider vocal range
• Bilingual text delivery and authentic language phrasing
• Balancing independent harmonic lines in three-part texture
• Emotional expression within contemporary pop idiom