In My Blood (arr. Jacob Narverud): SAB Choral Octavo

Narverud's arrangement honors the song's emotional core while writing idiomatically for SAB, avoiding the trap of oversimplifying pop material. The three-part texture gives all singers substantial melodic content, and the 17-page length suggests real development rather than a straightforward tune plug. Contemporary pop arranged with genuine choral craftsmanship tends to energize rehearsal rooms.

Introspective and driven; the song's title evokes visceral emotion and the arrangement likely maintains that urgency while giving it choral weight. Expect moments of intimacy alongside fuller, more propulsive sections that let the ensemble shine.

Choirs seeking contemporary repertoire that doesn't condescend to students or audiences. Directors building concert programs that bridge classical and pop idioms, or working with singers who connect more readily to current artists than standard show tune selections.

• Build the arrangement's momentum through careful dynamic control in the first half; save full voice for the final section where the writing likely opens up.
• Shape the melody with intent around Mendes' lyrical phrasing; pop melodies often benefit from subtle rubato that classical training can obscure.
• Balance the three parts so the Sopranos and Altos interweave rather than compete; SAB divisi passages work best when each section hears its own voice as part of a larger whole.
• Lean into any rhythmic syncopation in the arrangement; it's what makes pop feel alive rather than staid.

Pair this with other pop arrangements or contemporary works to signal a deliberate programming choice rather than a novelty addition. It works well in concerts aimed at younger audiences or in spring shows where emotional honesty reads as strength. The 17 pages suggest it can anchor a concert segment rather than serve as filler.

• Performing contemporary pop phrasing with musicality and restraint
• Reading and balancing SAB textures with independent melodic material across all parts
• Rhythmic precision in syncopated figures
• Dynamic shaping and control across an extended arrangement