I've Gotta Be Me: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

This arrangement captures the song's theatrical swagger while remaining accessible to high school and community choirs. Larry Shackley's chart respects the harmonic sophistication of the original while building momentum toward a genuinely exciting ending that gives singers something to sink their teeth into.

Confident and empowering, the piece opens with a relaxed, conversational quality in 6/8 time before shifting into an exuberant, swinging finale. The progression from introspective to triumphant mirrors the song's core message about authenticity.

High school and community choirs looking for a contemporary arrangement with genuine performance appeal. Singers enjoy the song's message of self-acceptance, and directors appreciate an arrangement that teaches groove and swing articulation in a familiar, engaging context.

• Balance the 6/8 groove with clear diction in the opening section; the laid-back feel should never obscure the lyric.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock the ensemble into the swing groove, then gradually pull back on the track as confidence builds.
• Shape the final section with dynamic intensity; the arrangement gives you permission to commit fully to the energy shift.

This works beautifully as a closing number on a pop or contemporary concert, where its message of self-acceptance lands with real impact. The recorded accompaniment also makes it a strong choice for assemblies or community events where rehearsal time is limited.

• Reading and performing in 6/8 time
• Distinguishing swing articulation from straight eighth-note rhythms
• Blending with a recorded accompaniment track
• Dynamic contrast and phrasing across a form change
• Ensemble balance in homophonic and rhythmically independent textures