Heart of Stone: SSAA Choral Octavo

This arrangement captures the theatrical urgency of SIX while remaining genuinely singable for high school and community choirs. The R&B groove and layered textures create space for individual expression within tight ensemble writing, and the emotional core of Jane Seymour's devotion gives singers real dramatic stakes to invest in. Programming a contemporary Broadway hit of this caliber signals to your singers and audiences that choral music means something in their world right now.

There's defiance wrapped in tenderness here. Despite the pop production and high-energy concert setting of SIX, this ballad invites singers into quiet conviction, a woman knowing her own heart even when the world (or a king) tells her it's wrong. The R&B groove provides sophisticated sophistication without ever losing its human scale, and the layered final section builds to something genuinely moving rather than merely spectacular.

This octavo works best for SSA or SSAA choirs at the high school and community college level who are comfortable with contemporary pop/rock repertoire and R&B stylistic elements. Singers need solid blend skills and the ability to sustain tone within a rhythmic groove rather than traditional legit phrasing. The piece also serves adult and alumni choirs looking for repertoire that connects to contemporary musical theatre.

• Establish the R&B groove pocket early in rehearsal by isolating the rhythm section voices (typically alto parts) and locking that feel before adding the melody. Once the groove is solid, the piece becomes much easier to balance.
• Shape the phrase "My love is set in stone" with genuine legit tone even within the pop/rock context. This is Jane's moment of absolute conviction, and it demands singers who can deliver vulnerability alongside the pop energy.
• Build dynamics gradually toward the final layered section. Marlow's arrangement saves the biggest moments for the end, so resist the temptation to sing too loudly in the verses. The contrast will be exponentially more powerful.
• Use the recorded accompaniment in rehearsal to train ears on intonation within the R&B harmonic movement, which includes some sophisticated jazz voicings that can challenge young singers unfamiliar with this harmonic language.

Pair this with other contemporary Broadway selections to create a "Musical Theatre Now" concert segment, or program it as the emotional centerpiece of a pop/rock-focused concert. Its theatrical origins make it particularly effective as an opener for a show tune medley, and the piece's thematic weight gives programming variety when used alongside lighter pop selections. Consider performing it with staging or subtle choreography to honor its origins without requiring a full production.

• Singing in R&B and contemporary pop/rock styles with authentic groove
• Balancing individual voice lines within layered ensemble textures
• Reading and executing jazz voicings and extended harmonic movement
• Sustaining legit tone quality while maintaining rhythmic precision
• Interpreting contemporary musical theatre text with emotional specificity