How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You): SAB Choral Octavo
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) Sheet Music Preview

How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You): SAB Choral Octavo

By Brian Holland / By Lamont Dozier / By Edward Holland / As performed by Marvin Gaye / As performed by James Taylor / As performed by Michael Buble / Arranged by Mark Brymer

Item: 35-DS00151293
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Description

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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 10
SKU: 35-DS00151293

More about this title

About the Composer: Brian Holland

Brian Holland was one of the architects of the Motown sound, crafting hits that defined an era. Working alongside Lamont Dozier and Edward Holland as part of the prolific Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting team, he wrote and produced some of the most enduring pop and soul standards of the 1960s and 1970s, with compositions recorded by The Supremes, The Four Tops, Martha and the Vandellas, and many others.

Holland's gift for melody and his understanding of what makes a song resonate across generations remain a masterclass in songcraft. For music educators, his catalog offers accessible yet sophisticated material that connects students to American popular music history while teaching them the fundamentals of memorable composition.

Why we love this

Mark Brymer's arrangement captures the warmth and accessibility of this classic without sacrificing musicality. The SAB voicing sits naturally for mixed choirs while maintaining the harmonic richness that made the original so memorable, and the 10-page score gives students genuine substance to sink their teeth into rather than a simplified version.

What to expect

This song radiates contentment and gratitude. There's no cynicism in it, just straightforward joy in being loved. When your choir sings it well, audiences recognize that warmth immediately and the room settles into something genuine.

Who it's for

Any choir looking for a genuine pop standard that doesn't feel out of place on a concert program. The SAB voicing makes it accessible to developing ensembles while the arrangement's sophistication keeps advanced choirs engaged.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the three parts carefully in the opening phrases; the melody in the soprano line needs support from the alto and baritone rather than dominance over them.
  • Pay attention to the rhythmic lilt of the accompaniment. Locking into the groove early in rehearsal will help the choir feel the swing beneath the lyrics.
  • Shape the dynamics around the emotional arc rather than marking every forte and piano literally. This song thrives on nuance and the sense of being sung rather than performed.
  • Consider how the choir's tone color serves the material. A brighter sound works; a warmer, more rounded sound works equally well. Commit to one approach and stay consistent.

How to use it

Pair this with other Motown standards for a program segment that celebrates American songwriting, or nest it between more classical or contemporary pieces to offer audiences a moment of pure accessibility and charm. It works beautifully as a closing number or as part of a pops concert.

Skills your students will build

  • Three-part SAB voice independence and blend
  • Singing with rhythmic precision in a pop idiom
  • Maintaining musical shape across longer phrases
  • Interpreting swing rhythm and groove
  • Historical awareness of Motown songwriting and pop standards

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