I Want You Back / ABC: SAB Choral Octavo

Mark Brymer's arrangement captures the irresistible energy of this Jackson 5 classic without losing the harmonic sophistication that made the original a radio phenomenon. The SAB voicing sits comfortably across mixed ensembles while keeping the infectious melody and rhythm section intact, making it equally suited for concert performance or a program that celebrates popular music's songwriting craft.

Irresistible and buoyant, with the kind of harmonic movement that makes you want to move. The arrangement crackles with the youthful energy of the original recording while maintaining the clarity and balance you expect from choral writing.

Choirs looking to program contemporary pop alongside standard concert repertoire without sacrificing musicianship. This works for high school singers, college ensembles, and community choirs eager to show audiences that great songwriting spans genres.

• Nail the rhythmic precision of the response figures in the second verse; they're what make the arrangement snap. Your rhythm section should lock in here, and voices need to match that tightness.
• Let the lead line breathe on the top notes without pushing into belting territory. This is a pop song, but you're still in a concert setting.
• Support the bass line during the groove sections; it's doing the work to keep the pocket intact, especially if you're working without a rhythm section.

Pair this with other Motown classics or use it to open a concert celebrating American popular songwriting. The 11 pages and accessible SAB voicing mean it won't demand weeks of rehearsal time, freeing you to program it strategically in the second half of your season.

• Understanding groove and subdivision in a pop idiom
• Balancing melody with rhythmic precision
• Blending pop vocal production with choral ensemble singing
• Reading and executing syncopated rhythmic figures accurately