Great Expectations (from The Outsiders) (arr. Mac Huff): SAB Choral Octavo

Hopeful and introspective. The arrangement honors the reflective quality of the original song while maintaining the infectious melodic hooks that audiences recognize. Expect warmth in the SAB voicing and moments where all three parts lock into powerful unison.

Choirs with developing sight readers who are ready for contemporary Broadway repertoire. This works equally well for high school ensembles seeking accessible pops numbers or community choirs wanting to program familiar musical theater.

• Build the dynamics gradually through the phrase. Resist the urge to jump to full volume early; let the text and melody shape your crescendo naturally.
• Listen carefully to the bass line, especially in passages where it carries harmonic movement. Intonation clarity depends on those lower voices anchoring the chord.
• Treat the accompaniment as a character in the room. The recorded track (if used) should dialogue with your voices, not overwhelm them.

Pair this with other contemporary musical theater selections for a full Broadway pops concert, or slot it into a spring show alongside character pieces from recent films and stage productions. It also works as a confident closer for winter concerts, given its emotional resonance and accessibility.

• Singing sustained lines with consistent breath support
• Balancing harmony in three-part texture without doubling
• Interpreting modern Broadway phrasing and articulation
• Maintaining intonation during dynamic shifts
• Responding to accompaniment cues from piano or recorded track