Let The River Run (arr. Craig Hella Johnson): TTBB Choral Octavo

Craig Hella Johnson's arrangement captures the anthemic sweep and emotional intelligence of Simon's original while giving men's voices a vehicle to engage with material that feels contemporary and musically substantial. The octavo format makes this accessible for most collegiate and advanced high school ensembles, and the flexible voicing options mean you're not locked into one approach.

Purposeful and forward-moving, with moments of lyrical vulnerability alongside soaring passages. The arrangement honors the song's inherent optimism while respecting the sophistication Simon brought to the original composition.

This arrangement works for men's choirs seeking contemporary material with genuine artistic substance. It's equally useful for mixed ensembles looking to program something that audiences recognize and that singers find engaging to perform.

• Pay attention to how the arrangement distributes the melody across voices; Johnson often layers the tune strategically to build texture rather than simply doubling it.
• The text carries as much weight as the musical lines, so prioritize clear diction and thoughtful phrasing over pushing volume.
• Balance the harmonic foundation in your lower voices without letting them overwhelm the emotional core of the song.

Consider this for a spring concert that mixes standards with meaningful contemporary work, or as a statement opener that establishes artistic range and accessibility. It also serves well in community engagement settings where recognizable material builds audience connection.

• Balancing melody and harmony in contemporary popular song arrangements
• Interpreting flexible voicing to suit your ensemble's strengths
• Managing text clarity across layered vocal textures
• Sustaining momentum through longer phrases without sacrificing musical nuance