Ghost: SATB Choral Octavo
Words and music by Michael Pollack, Justin Bieber, Jonathan Bellion, Jordan Kendall Johnson, and Stefan Johnson / arr. Andy Beck
Item: 00-PO-0007060
$2.10
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Justin Bieber's tribute to a lost loved one topped Billboard charts around the world. Equally suitable for the concert hall or the pop choir stage, this acoustic-inspired setting features a variety of choral textures to showcase the meaningful text. Light strings and guitar add a contemporary touch on the SoundTrax CD, or perform with just piano for a more intimate presentation. "If I can't be close to you, I'll settle for the ghost of you."
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0007060
More about this title
About the Composer: Michael Pollack
Michael Pollack is a composer and arranger whose work across pop and contemporary music has made him a trusted voice in choral settings. His arrangements consistently balance accessibility with artistic depth, creating pieces that honor the original while opening new interpretive possibilities for singers.
Why we love this
Pollack captures the emotional core of 'Ghost' without oversimplifying it. The varied choral textures give you real options for how your singers tackle the vulnerability in the text, and the arrangement works equally well stripped down to piano or amplified with the SoundTrax accompaniment, depending on your concert context and audience.
What to expect
The setting opens with vulnerability and builds through layered vocal textures that reflect both longing and acceptance. There's a modern-pop sensibility in the harmonic language, but Pollack's choral writing grounds it in classical voice leading, creating something that feels both current and timeless.
Who it's for
Choirs that want to program contemporary pop music with real emotional weight and musical substance. This works for concert choirs looking to expand their repertoire beyond traditional classical fare, pop choirs seeking art-song-level sophistication, and ensembles performing everything from fall concerts to memorial services.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the soprano and alto lines carefully in the opening sections; they carry the melody but need support from the lower voices to keep the texture cohesive rather than thin.
- Lean into the acoustic quality of the accompaniment choices. Whether you use piano or the recorded strings and guitar, resist the urge to oversing; restraint serves the intimacy of the lyric.
- Pay close attention to phrase endings. The song's emotional weight lives in the spaces between lines as much as the sung moments.
- Experiment with how your choir voices the word 'ghost' rhythmically and dynamically across different sections; small variations here can deepen the interpretation without losing unity.
How to use it
Schedule this for a concert that explores themes of loss, memory, or resilience; it pairs naturally with other contemporary pop arrangements but also holds its own in a set of art songs and art-pop settings. Consider it for a winter or spring concert where emotional depth matters more than festive energy, or as a poignant moment between more upbeat repertoire.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing melody and harmony in contemporary harmonic language
- Performing with dynamic restraint and emotional maturity
- Navigating varied choral textures (solos, duets, full ensemble sections)
- Adapting phrasing and interpretation across different accompaniment choices