From The Start (arr. Roger Emerson): Choral Instrumental Pak
As performed by Laufey / Arranged by Roger Emerson
Item: 35-PK01640014
$35.00
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Description
Icelandic singer-songwriter Laufey penned this dreamy, jazz-infused ballad, complete with playful bossa nova rhythms and melancholic lyricism. Warmly relatable and easily sung, this arrangement is brimming with charm!
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01640014
More about this title
About the Artist: Laufey
Laufey is an Icelandic singer-songwriter who emerged in the early 2020s with a sophisticated approach to contemporary pop and jazz. Her compositions blend classical sensibilities (she trained as a violinist) with modern production, creating introspective yet accessible music that appeals across age groups. Her work demonstrates how jazz harmony and cinematic arrangement can inhabit pop structures.
Why we love this
Roger Emerson's treatment preserves the song's dreamy quality while making it work vocally and spatially for ensembles. The bossa nova rhythmic layer gives singers rhythmic and stylistic footing without requiring mastery of jazz interpretation, and the melancholic undertone makes room for genuine musicality rather than relying on pure technical display.
What to expect
Warm and introspective, like sitting in a dimly lit room where intimacy is more important than spectacle. The bossa nova rhythm creates gentle forward motion while the jazz harmonies cast everything in soft, ambiguous light. It's contemplative pop music that invites listeners closer rather than pushing them away.
Who it's for
Directors seeking modern repertoire that speaks to contemporary students without sacrificing musical substance will find this arrangement immediately useful. Jazz and pop voicing experience helps, but the arrangement is accessible to choirs with limited jazz background.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the bossa nova pulse breathe in the rhythm section; it shouldn't feel rushed or overstated. The accompaniment should float beneath the vocal line.
- Shape the melodic contour with attention to the song's inherent wistfulness. Avoid brightness; lean into the reflective character that Laufey's original performance establishes.
- Balance the jazz harmony carefully so chromatic movement stays clear without muddying ensemble blend. Intonation becomes audible when chords move this colorfully.
- Treat the playfulness as restraint rather than energy. The charm lives in subtlety, not volume or tempo tricks.
How to use it
This works beautifully in a set focused on contemporary songwriting or as a palate cleanser between heavier classical works. The short length and emotional restraint make it ideal for concert programming where you want to showcase modern musical literacy alongside traditional repertoire.
Skills your students will build
- Jazz harmony recognition and voice leading with chromatic motion
- Bossa nova rhythm vocabulary and coordination with accompaniment
- Balancing pop-influenced phrasing with choral blend
- Singing with restraint and interpretive nuance in a contemporary idiom