Go The Distance / Defying Gravity (arr. Roger Emerson): 2-Part Choral Octavo

Roger Emerson's arrangement strips these two powerhouse songs down to their melodic and harmonic essentials without losing an ounce of their theatrical punch. Young singers get to tackle material they actually know and love, which means you spend rehearsal time on musicianship rather than convincing students the piece is worth learning.

One moment you're climbing toward an impossible goal with athletic optimism, the next you're defying gravity itself with soaring, unafraid vocals. The arrangement captures both the vulnerability and the triumph embedded in these songs.

Younger choirs and middle school ensembles looking for material with immediate appeal and clear musical objectives. This works equally well for singers early in their development and for programs where you need repertoire that connects to students' lives outside the rehearsal room.

• Balance the two melodies carefully in passages where they overlap; the arrangement's effectiveness depends on both lines singing through rather than one voice disappearing into accompaniment.
• Lean into the contrasting emotional landscapes of these pieces. Go The Distance builds determination and forward momentum, while Defying Gravity requires soaring legit tone and confident ownership of the stage.
• Shape phrases around the lyrical moments rather than merely hitting rhythmic marks; these are songs built on text, and meaning drives the music.

Pair this with a Broadway or Disney concert program, or use it as a crowd-pleasing finale that sends the audience out smiling and humming. The familiarity makes it ideal for pops concerts, spring shows, or any program where you want young singers performing material they recognize as genuinely cool.

• Sustaining legit singing tone across a wide range
• Part independence in 2-part texture
• Shaping longer melodic lines with clear narrative arc
• Balancing enthusiasm with control in uptempo material
• Connecting lyrical meaning to vocal expression