I Lived (arr. Deke Sharon): SATB Choral Octavo

Deke Sharon's arrangement captures the reflective, conversational tone of the original while giving each voice part genuine independence and moments to shine. The a cappella setting strips away production polish and asks singers to create the song's emotional arc through blend, phrasing, and textural layering, which challenges and rewards committed choirs. Programming this alongside other pop arrangements gives concerts contemporary relevance without sacrificing musical substance.

The piece carries the quiet defiance and gratitude of its source material, inviting singers into intimate reflection on lived experience rather than demanding vocal pyrotechnics. There's space for vulnerability here, moments where the arrangement strips back to essentials and lets vulnerability breathe.

This arrangement works for intermediate to advanced high school and college choirs with solid blend and intonation skills. Directors programming contemporary music in concert settings will find an accessible entry point to a song that audiences recognize and connect with.

• Build the song's architecture by working sections separately first. The SATB voicing likely carries the melody through different parts at different moments, so rehearse transitions between voice groups deliberately so no one loses the harmonic thread.
• Shape phrases with dynamic intention rather than locking into one volume throughout. This arrangement probably benefits from breathing space and weight distribution that mirrors how the original song unfolds emotionally.
• Lock the vowel sounds across the section, particularly in sustained passages. A cappella writing exposes every imprecision, so unified vowel production becomes a technical necessity and a path to blend.
• Record a rehearsal mix with just one singer per part. Hear how clearly the harmonic movement reads when each voice is isolated, then gradually add singers back to diagnose any balance issues.

This works beautifully as a concert closer or as part of a thematic set exploring resilience and reflection. The contemporary pop context also makes it effective for recruiting performances, where students can perform material that reflects their own musical world.

• A cappella intonation maintenance through sustained passages
• Blending and balance across SATB textures
• Phrase shaping and dynamic control without instrumental support
• Tracking a moving melody through different voice parts
• Stylistic interpretation of contemporary pop material