I Heard It Through The Grapevine (arr. Ed Lojeski): 2-Part Choral Octavo

Ed Lojeski's arrangement captures the groove and soul of this Motown classic while keeping the vocal lines singable for developing choirs. The 2-part texture opens this song to middle school and high school programs that want contemporary pop material with real harmonic interest rather than oversimplified arrangements.

Smooth, soulful, and immediately recognizable. The arrangement maintains the song's conversational intimacy while the 2-part voicing gives it enough harmonic substance to feel like a legitimate choral piece. Singers feel the groove the moment they start learning their parts.

High school and middle school choirs seeking accessible pop repertoire that respects both the performers and the original song. Directors looking for material that bridges contemporary music with solid choral fundamentals will find this arrangement does both without compromise.

• Lock the rhythmic feel with your rhythm section or accompaniment track before rehearsing the vocal lines. The groove is the foundation; everything else builds from that pocket.
• Shape the phrasing around the lyrics rather than hitting every beat evenly. This song breathes naturally when singers respond to the conversational quality of Gaye's original melody.
• Balance the two parts so neither dominates. Both voices carry essential melodic and harmonic material, and clarity matters more than volume.
• Lean into the vulnerability in the verses before building energy toward the chorus. This emotional arc gives the piece dynamic shape beyond tempo and dynamics.

This works beautifully on pops or fun concert programs, especially when paired with other Motown-era hits or contemporary classics. It also serves as a gateway piece for singers who connect more readily with pop idioms, helping them build confidence with standard choral repertoire alongside more familiar material.

• Singing syncopated rhythms and maintaining the feel against a steady pulse
• Balancing independent melodic lines in 2-part writing
• Interpreting conversational phrasing in a contemporary pop style
• Sustaining ensemble blend while honoring the groove-based character of the arrangement