Heart of Stone: SATB Choral Octavo

This arrangement captures the emotional gravity of Jane Seymour's character without losing the contemporary R&B energy that defines SIX. Andy Beck's choral writing sits squarely in the vocal range of high school and college singers, making a Tony-winning Broadway number genuinely accessible for your ensemble. Programming a current, award-winning pop musical piece signals to students that their musical education values the repertoire they actually listen to.

A defiant declaration wrapped in silk. Despite the minor-key foundation and themes of devotion, the R&B groove gives the piece forward momentum and contemporary swagger. The layered textures in the final section build from intimate confessional to grand affirmation, leaving listeners with a sense of quiet strength.

High school and college choirs seeking contemporary repertoire that connects with modern audiences. This piece works particularly well for choirs comfortable with pop and R&B inflections and looking to program recent Broadway music alongside traditional choral literature.

• Shape the dynamics of the layered final flourish carefully; each voice layer should remain distinct rather than blending into a single block of sound.
• Work the R&B groove pocket with your rhythm section or recorded accompaniment until the ensemble feels secure enough to breathe naturally over the beat.
• Balance the soloistic moments in your soprano and alto sections; these aren't full ensemble statements, and they need space to register emotionally.
• Pay attention to the text painting in "My love is set in stone." The repetition should feel resolute and unshakeable, not mechanical.

Place this in a second half slot where it can shine as a tonal shift from traditional repertoire, or build a whole set around contemporary musical theater. It pairs well with other Broadway selections and offers a bridge between classical choral singing and the pop-influenced arrangements many students encounter in media and streaming.

• Singing over a syncopated R&B groove while maintaining rhythmic independence
• Layering multiple vocal lines with clarity and presence
• Phrasing pop-influenced melody with emotional specificity rather than classical legit production
• Navigating the balance between solo voice and ensemble support
• Interpreting contemporary musical theater text with character and conviction