Everyday People: SAB Choral Octavo

Arrangers Mark Brymer captures the infectious groove and infectious joy of this anthem while keeping the voicing accessible for developing choirs. The SAB setting opens this classic to groups that might otherwise sidestep it, and the message of unity and acceptance gives your singers something genuinely meaningful to sing about beyond technical exercise.

Warm, uplifting, and radiantly inclusive. The arrangement pulses with optimism and rhythmic energy while maintaining the sincerity of the original message; your singers will feel the difference between singing a pop tune and singing something with real purpose.

Any choir with enough vocal maturity to handle syncopation and blend, from strong high school groups through community and adult choirs. This works equally well as a concert opener, a community outreach piece, or a fun departure from traditional repertoire that reminds singers why they love making music together.

• Lock into the syncopated rhythms early in rehearsal; these funky, offbeat figures define the song's character, so drill them until they feel automatic
• Shape the dynamics carefully around the lyrical message. Let verses sit with less volume so the powerful choruses land with full impact
• Balance the individual voice lines with the collective groove. This arrangement works best when each part feels connected to a larger rhythmic engine rather than operating independently

Pair this with other socially conscious repertoire for a thematic concert, or use it as a palate cleanser between heavier classical works to reconnect your audience with contemporary relevance. It also serves as a powerful finale that leaves listeners smiling and reminded of music's power to unite.

• Reading and performing syncopated rhythms in a contemporary pop idiom
• Balancing individual voice lines within a funk-influenced ensemble texture
• Maintaining groove feel and rhythmic precision across multiple short note values
• Interpreting and performing music with social and cultural meaning