Drive By: SSA Choral Octavo

By Train / Arranged by Philip Lawson

Item: 35-DS00270078

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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 6
SKU: 35-DS00270078

More about this title

About the Composer: Train

Train emerged in the early 2000s as one of pop rock's most accessible and emotionally direct bands. Led by Pat Monahan, the group built their reputation on crafting infectious melodies paired with relatable, often introspective lyrics that connected across mainstream and alternative audiences alike. Their catalog spans over two decades and includes multiple platinum records, making them a natural choice for contemporary choral arrangements.

For music educators, Train's catalog offers modern material that students actually want to sing. The band's emphasis on melody and emotional clarity translates well to choral settings, and their broad popularity means singers bring genuine enthusiasm to learning and performing these songs.

Why we love this

This arrangement brings a genuinely contemporary pop sensibility into the SSA/SSAA repertoire without talking down to singers or oversimplifying the song's emotional core. Philip Lawson's voicing respects the original while opening up the part-writing to allow real harmonic independence among the voices, making this an engaging choice for choirs ready to move beyond show tunes but not quite ready for complex classical literature.

What to expect

A moment of genuine connection and vulnerability set to an irresistible pop groove. The song's reflective quality comes through without sacrificing the rhythmic energy that makes pop music fun to sing and hear.

Who it's for

Choirs with intermediate to early advanced voices who want to program contemporary pop music with substance and accessibility. This works especially well for groups performing in non-traditional venues or seeking repertoire that resonates with student singers and audiences alike.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the melody across voice sections rather than spotlighting a single soprano line; the arrangement's strength depends on all three voices sharing ownership of the tune at different moments.
  • Let the rhythm section reference (or recreate via accompaniment) the original recording's groove; students will lock into the song's pocket more reliably when the harmonic and rhythmic foundation feels familiar.
  • Shape the dynamics to follow the song's emotional arc rather than treating dynamics as purely textual. This pop song benefits from building intensity through volume and energy, not just through added expression marks.

How to use it

Pair this with other contemporary pop arrangements to build a modern set within a concert, or use it as a bridge piece between classical and pop sections of a program. The six-page length makes it ideal for smaller ensembles or for inclusion in a concert that mixes genres and eras.

Skills your students will build

  • Balancing melody and harmony in a contemporary pop idiom
  • Maintaining rhythmic precision within a groove-based accompaniment
  • Singing with vocal flexibility appropriate to pop style rather than classical technique
  • Reading and performing multiple independent melodic lines in SSA voicing

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