Human (arr. Peter Van Lonkhuijsen): SAB Choral Octavo

Van Lonkhuijsen's arrangement honors what makes "Human" so affecting: the song's emotional restraint and focus on lyrical content. The SAB voicing keeps the harmonic foundation solid while allowing the text to breathe, making this accessible for developing choirs without sacrificing interpretive depth. Directors will appreciate how this sits in a sweet spot between contemporary pop and genuine musicality.

The song maintains its intimate, questioning quality even in choral form. There's a conversational tone to the arrangement that invites singers and listeners into the emotional center of the piece rather than demanding attention through volume or spectacle.

This works beautifully for developing to mid-level secular choirs looking to program contemporary pop without compromising musicianship. High school, community college, and adult community choirs will find it both singable and substantive.

• Resist over-singing the melody line. The song's power comes from conversational phrasing and letting the lyrics land clearly, not from pushing volume.
• Balance the three parts so the middle voices support rather than compete. In pop arrangements, clarity often matters more than blend.
• Work dynamics as a collective choice, not individual part dynamics. Shape the piece like you're telling a story together, with the emotional arc building deliberately.

Pair this with other contemporary vocal music to show your choir's range, or use it as an encore that lets the audience see your group's comfort with modern material. It also works as a powerful piece in a program exploring themes of vulnerability and connection.

• Singing with intentional restraint and avoiding oversinging
• Balancing text delivery with musical line
• Interpreting contemporary popular music idiomatically
• Maintaining ensemble cohesion across three distinct vocal lines