King Of Anything: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Bareilles writes hooks that stick with students long after rehearsal ends, and this arrangement by Mark Brymer captures the sass and attitude of the original without oversimplifying the vocal writing. The song's subject matter gives singers something real to sink their teeth into: it's a confident rejection wrapped in pop sensibility, which makes it energizing rather than cynical.

Confident and self-assured, with an undercurrent of humor. The vocal lines have the conversational phrasing of contemporary pop, but the harmonic support creates substance and sophistication. It's the sound of someone setting a boundary with style.

Choirs seeking contemporary repertoire with personality and edge will find this appealing for singers who connect with modern pop and rock idioms. It works especially well for groups wanting to program something that feels current without abandoning vocal integrity, and it engages singers who might otherwise feel disconnected from classical or overly sentimental material.

• Lock the rhythmic groove early. This piece lives in the pocket, so precision with eighth-note patterns and syncopation matters more than volume.
• Lean into the attitude without overselling it. The message is pointed but playful; let the lyrics do the heavy lifting instead of forcing attitude into every phrase.
• Balance the two parts so neither disappears. In 2-part writing, both lines carry equal musical and lyrical weight, so part II singers need to commit fully.
• Use dynamic contrast to highlight the song's arc. The original builds momentum; your arrangement should too, using volume and intensity to mirror the emotional journey.

Pair this with other contemporary pop or rock arrangements to anchor a modern music set, or use it as a palate-cleanser between traditional repertoire to keep your audience engaged. The 11-page length makes it substantial enough to anchor a program section without dominating rehearsal time.

• rhythmic accuracy with syncopation and eighth-note subdivision
• stylistic interpretation of contemporary pop and rock idioms
• part independence in 2-part texture
• lyrical storytelling and emotional delivery
• balancing ensemble blend with individual character