I Love You / What A Wonderful World: SSA Choral Octavo

Craig Hella Johnson's arrangement takes two beloved songs and creates something that feels both intimate and anthemic. The SSA voicing opens this material to a wider range of choirs, while the pairing of these songs suggests a thematic arc that builds naturally from personal devotion to universal joy.

This arrangement carries warmth and honesty. The gospel underpinnings create a sense of immediacy and emotional directness that moves beyond sentimentality into genuine expression of gratitude and wonder.

Choirs seeking repertoire that connects spiritual sincerity with contemporary accessibility will find this arrangement speaks to their values. Works equally well in concert settings, worship contexts, or festivals where SSA voicing is preferred.

• Balance the text clarity across all three parts. Consonants should land together, especially in passages where the harmonic writing gets dense.
• Let the gospel roots show in your articulation and phrasing. Slight syncopations and rhythmic flexibility can bring authenticity without losing ensemble precision.
• Consider how the two songs relate emotionally within the same performance. A breath between them gives singers and listeners a moment to absorb the shift in perspective.

Program this as a closing number where its combined message of personal love and universal appreciation can resonate with audiences on their way out. Alternatively, use it as an opener that sets a tone of hope and connection for a larger program.

• Balancing three independent vocal lines while maintaining textual clarity
• Gospel phrasing and rhythmic flexibility within a notated score
• Navigating harmonic density and voice leading in contemporary sacred arrangements
• Connecting emotional intention to musical interpretation