It Must Be Love (arr. Craig McLeish): Choral Instrumental Pak

McLeish's arrangement takes a certified pop earworm and transforms it into genuine choral material without losing what makes the song irresistible. The pairing of choir with piano keeps rehearsal logistics manageable while maintaining the warmth and soulful character that made the original unforgettable.

Warm, direct, and genuinely affectionate. The arrangement preserves the song's conversational tone, as if the choir is sharing something sincere rather than performing spectacle. There's space for vulnerability here alongside the pop accessibility.

Directors programming concerts that blend choral classics with recognizable popular material will find this approachable for mixed voice ensembles at intermediate levels. Singers appreciate the song's emotional honesty and straightforward melodic contours, making it engaging without requiring virtuosic technique.

• Anchor the interpretation to the original's laid-back pocket; resist the urge to rush the tempo even if the piece feels simple on the page.
• Let the piano part breathe and establish the groove before voices enter; this frames the arrangement's conversational quality.
• Balance the melody against harmonic parts carefully so no section muddles the song's essential simplicity.
• Commit to clear diction on key emotional phrases so the lyrical content lands with intention.

This works beautifully on concerts celebrating pop songwriting or building bridges between classical and contemporary repertoire. It also serves well as an audience favorite that doesn't compromise musical standards, giving your ensemble credibility with listeners while keeping the experience accessible.

• Interpreting rhythmic groove in a choral context
• Balancing melody and homophonic harmony
• Communicating lyrical intent with economy of means
• Reading contemporary popular arrangements