Don't Wanna Lose You: SSA Choral Octavo

Greg Gilpin's arrangement captures the emotional core of this Grammy-nominated ballad while keeping the voicing accessible for SSA choirs. The optional Spanish lyrics open programming possibilities that honor the song's cultural roots and create conversation about musical authenticity in contemporary choral repertoire. It's a piece that connects to students' own musical world while delivering genuine emotional depth.

A soaring, introspective ballad that builds from intimate verses into an anthemic chorus. The arrangement honors Estefan's signature Latin-inflected production style while allowing the SSA voicing to breathe, creating moments of lush harmony alongside driving rhythmic momentum.

SSA choirs seeking contemporary repertoire that resonates with students' musical experience. Directors programming concerts that blend Broadway, popular, and choral music, or building units around musical theater or Latin-influenced American songwriting.

• Anchor the emotional arc in the harmonic progression rather than pushing volume. Estefan's songwriting thrives on nuance, so encourage singers to shape phrases through dynamic control and vowel resonance rather than belt.
• Balance the SSA voicing so the soprano line remains the focal point without drowning out the alto and second soprano parts, which carry essential harmonic color throughout.
• If performing with both English and Spanish lyrics, rehearse the Spanish pronunciation separately to ensure clarity and confidence. The rhythmic and syllabic differences require deliberate attention.
• Use the recorded accompaniment strategically in early rehearsals to establish tempo and style, then gradually reduce reliance on it to build ensemble independence.

Pair this with other contemporary theater songs to create a program section exploring how Broadway reflects diverse voices and stories. The Spanish lyrics option makes it especially valuable in a concert celebrating multicultural repertoire or Latin American contributions to American popular music.

• Singing with dynamic contrast and emotional restraint in a contemporary idiom
• Balancing SSA voicing to support both melody and harmonic texture
• Performing Spanish-language lyrics with accurate pronunciation and cultural awareness
• Interpreting popular song arrangements while maintaining ensemble blend