Hit Me with Your Best Shot: SAT Choral Octavo

Deke Sharon's arrangement taps into genuine energy that keeps singers engaged across eight pages. The SAT voicing balances accessibility with real vocal interest, and students connect immediately to a song they actually want to perform. It's the kind of contemporary choice that brings legitimacy to your concert without sacrificing musical substance.

Confident and propulsive. The song's inherent attitude translates into an arrangement that feels direct and purposeful, with enough rhythmic drive to keep energy high without requiring instrumental accompaniment.

Choirs looking to program recognizable contemporary material that doesn't talk down to singers. SAT voicing makes it accessible for mixed ensembles with developing singers, while the Deke Sharon arrangement keeps it musically honest.

• Nail the rhythmic precision in the opening section. This arrangement thrives on snap and attitude; loose ensemble work undermines the whole effect.
• Let soloists own their moments without oversinging. The power comes from confident delivery, not volume.
• Balance the alto line carefully. Deke Sharon typically writes interesting inner voices, so don't let sopranos overshadow what's happening beneath.

Consider programming this for an informal concert or the lighter section of a formal concert where you want audience recognition and singer enthusiasm. It works particularly well as a transition piece or encore option, giving your group visible momentum heading into other material.

• Maintaining rhythmic lock in contemporary styles without percussion
• Interpreting attitude and character in pop idioms
• Balancing ensemble blend while preserving individual voice independence
• Sight-reading a cappella arrangements with non-traditional harmonic language