Home (arr. Mary Bichner)

Mary Bichner's arrangement captures the aching simplicity of the original while letting the string voicing do the emotional heavy lifting that Edward Sharpe's vocals carry on the recording. String ensembles at any level will find the writing both playable and deeply satisfying, with the kind of transparent orchestration that lets every voice matter.

Tender and unguarded. The arrangement follows the song's arc of longing and connection, with the strings creating an intimate space around the melody. Bichner's voicing choices emphasize the song's yearning quality, transforming the pop original into something more introspective.

String ensemble directors seeking contemporary repertoire that respects both the original song and string writing craft. Intermediate to advanced ensembles looking for material that builds interpretive maturity and teaches modern arranging sensibilities.

• Find the rubato in quiet moments. The original's intimate vocal delivery translates here into expressive freedom around the pulse, especially during sustained harmonies.
• Balance the ensemble so that inner voices and counter-melodies emerge naturally rather than fighting for attention with the primary line.
• Let the arrangement breathe between phrases. Silence is part of the emotional vocabulary of this piece.
• Consider what vibrato choices support the song's vulnerability; restrain vibrato in exposed passages to maintain clarity.

Pair this with a mixed repertoire concert to create a bridge between classical and contemporary contexts. Its emotional directness and manageable length make it excellent as a concert opener or closer, or as a foil to heavier dramatic material elsewhere on the program.

• Phrasing and shaping of lyrical material without text
• Balance and transparency in ensemble voicing
• Expressive interpretation of contemporary songwriting
• Sustaining tone quality and intonation in slow tempos
• Collaborative listening and voice independence