Let There Be Joy (arr. Mark Brymer): SSA Choral Octavo

Mark Brymer's arrangement captures Hudson's signature vocal richness while keeping the writing accessible for SSA choirs. The piece balances genuine holiday spirit with musical substance, offering your singers a contemporary arrangement that doesn't rely on oversimplification or saccharine texture.

Bright and affirming, with a modern sensibility that honors the warmth of the season. The arrangement breathes with generosity, giving singers room to connect with the text while maintaining an engaging harmonic landscape throughout.

SSA choirs seeking contemporary holiday material with genuine musical weight. This works equally well for high school and adult ensembles looking to move beyond traditional carols while keeping the spirit of joy at the center.

• Shape phrases around the text rather than bar lines; this arrangement rewards singers who listen for the emotional arc of the lyric.
• Encourage your soprano section to sing the melody with full resonance in the upper register without strain; Brymer's writing supports solid placement throughout.
• Balance the inner voices carefully during tutti sections to maintain clarity; the arrangement includes colorful harmonic movement that disappears if any part gets buried.

Program this as a strong anchor for a holiday concert's second half, where it can shine without competing directly with more traditional fare. Its contemporary energy also makes it an excellent choice for pops or crossover concerts that blend seasonal material with popular music.

• Singing with full resonance in contemporary harmonic contexts
• Balancing parts in rich, four-part writing
• Shaping phrases by text and emotional intent rather than purely structural divisions
• Blending upper voices while maintaining individual line integrity