Learn to Fly (arr. André Bachmann): SMAA Choral Octavo

Bachmann's arrangement captures the soaring optimism of the original without stripping away its rock DNA. The SMAA voicing sits naturally for mixed ensembles while the twelve pages give the piece room to build, making it substantial enough for concert programming without demanding vocal gymnatics.

Earnest and uplifting, built on a melody that climbs toward resolution with quiet conviction. The arrangement honors the song's emotional core while distributing the work across four voices, creating that distinctive moment when a room full of people sings the same hopeful thing at once.

Directors seeking a contemporary pop arrangement with substance and accessibility. This works for choirs confident in their blend but not necessarily experienced with rock repertoire, and for ensembles wanting to program something their audiences will actually recognize.

• Anchor the lower voices to establish harmonic stability; Bachmann's texture depends on solid foundation singing from the altos and second sopranos.
• Find the legit song within the arrangement rather than overselling the rock credentials; the piece gains power from genuine connection to the melody, not rhythmic swagger.
• Map phrase breath points early in rehearsal so the ensemble doesn't fragment the long lines that define this song's emotional arc.
• Balance textural moments where voices drop out or enter; the contrast between full sound and leaner passages drives the forward momentum.

Pair this with other contemporary pop or rock arrangements to show the range of modern composition, or use it as a centerpiece in a concert focused on songs about perseverance and forward motion. The approachable style and audience familiarity make it an effective set opener or closer.

• Balancing unison and divisi passages in contemporary music
• Sustaining legit tone in pop-adjacent repertoire
• Reading rhythmic notation specific to rock arrangements
• Blending across an SMAA voicing without loss of individual line clarity