How 'Bout Them Cowgirls: TTBB Choral Octavo

Alan Billingsley's arrangement captures the conversational ease of Strait's delivery while giving TTBB singers a fun, contemporary piece that feels nothing like traditional choral repertoire. The flexible voicing options (TB/TTB/TBB/TTBB) mean you can use this regardless of your section balance, and the pop sensibility invites genuine enthusiasm from singers who might otherwise feel disconnected from standard concert material.

Relaxed and good-humored, with the easy charm of someone telling a story over a beer. The arrangement respects the original's laid-back groove while giving singers space to enjoy the narrative and the harmonies underneath it.

This works beautifully for men's choirs looking to program contemporary material, mixed choirs seeking a lighter moment in a concert, or any ensemble wanting to showcase their versatility and connect with an audience through recognizable, appealing music.

• Keep the tempo conversational rather than rushed; this piece thrives on the casual, storytelling quality of the lyric
• Balance the solo passages carefully so they sit slightly forward of the harmonic backdrop without losing ensemble cohesion
• Lean into the rhythmic pocket by locking in with a recorded accompaniment if available; the groove matters here
• Shape phrases with natural speech inflection to avoid making pop material sound overly formal or stiff

Use this as a palate cleanser in the second half of a concert, or anchor a set of contemporary American music that might include other pop or Americana arrangements. The 11 pages and straightforward harmonic approach make it accessible for festival or competition setlists without requiring lengthy rehearsal investments.

• Singing with rhythmic accuracy in a groove-based harmonic context
• Balancing solo and ensemble textures
• Interpreting lyrical storytelling with appropriate phrasing and diction
• Adapting to flexible voicing configurations within a single arrangement