I'm A Believer (from Shrek) (arr. Mark Brymer): SATB Choral Octavo

Mark Brymer's arrangement cuts straight to what makes this song magnetic. The four-part writing respects the original's groove while giving each voice line genuine musicality, avoiding the trap of rhythmic stiffness that plagues some pop arrangements. Your singers will recognize the song immediately, which means they focus on ensemble blend and phrasing rather than decoding unfamiliar material.

Pure, unironic optimism. This arrangement captures the swaggering confidence of the original while maintaining choral clarity, with straightforward harmonies that let the infectious melody shine. The energy is propulsive and bright, the kind of piece that lifts rehearsal morale the moment singers open their folders.

Any choir director programming pop or film music in a secular setting. This works equally well for high school treble ensembles (with modest transposition possibilities) and mixed choirs seeking material that resonates with student singers and audiences alike. The ten-page length makes it accessible even for ensembles juggling multiple pieces per concert.

• Lock the energy in the rhythm section (tenors and basses) from the first measure. This song lives or dies on its groove, so those parts need to feel less like singing and more like a living beat.
• Keep the sopranos and altos from oversinging the melody. Restraint in the opening verses creates dynamic space for the final chorus when you can let loose.
• Record a rehearsal mix with the accompaniment early and send it to singers. Familiarity with the recorded version actually helps them nail their parts faster.
• Shape the repeating sections by varying dynamics slightly each time through. Without deliberate choices, repetition flattens into monotone.

Place this as a closing or near-closing piece on a pop/film music concert, where its high spirits provide a satisfying finale. It also functions beautifully in pops concerts alongside other contemporary hits, or as a single lighter selection in a predominantly classical program to remind audiences that choirs sing the music they love.

• Maintaining steady rhythm in pop music contexts
• Balancing melody with supportive harmony lines
• Singing with relaxed confidence in contemporary idiom
• Responding to groove-based accompaniment rather than strict metered conducting