Jolene (feat. Dolly Parton) (arr. Mark Brymer): SATB Choral Octavo

Mark Brymer's arrangement captures the emotional directness of this iconic Dolly Parton ballad while opening it up for traditional four-part choir voicing. The arrangement honors the song's vulnerability without losing the contemporary energy that makes it resonate with younger singers.

Intimate yet expansive. The song carries the confessional quality of a personal plea, but Pentatonix's arrangement adds a polished, contemporary sheen that feels present and immediate rather than nostalgic. Singing it feels like stepping into a conversation you weren't meant to hear.

Choirs seeking contemporary repertoire that connects with singers who grew up listening to pop and a cappella arrangements. This works equally well for high school choirs, college ensembles, and community groups comfortable with country and pop idioms.

• Balance the narrative weight between soloists and choir sections. The story of 'Jolene' lives in intimate delivery, so even when the full SATB enters, maintain clarity and emotional restraint rather than filling out the dynamics.
• Pay attention to the sustained vowels in your sustained notes. This arrangement likely sits at a gentle tempo, making any tension in the vowel space immediately audible.
• Support the bass line with rhythmic precision. Without instrumental accompaniment, your lowest voices anchor both the harmonic and rhythmic foundation.

Pair this with other contemporary pop or country arrangements to build a set that speaks to current musical tastes, or slot it into a concert exploring the evolution of folk and country standards through modern arranging. It works as a standalone feature or as part of a broader thematic program around storytelling in song.

• Blending voices across four distinct parts in sustained harmonic passages
• Navigating the emotional and textual demands of a narrative-driven lyric
• Maintaining rhythmic stability and forward motion in an a cappella or lightly accompanied context
• Balancing soloist and ensemble roles to serve the overall arrangement