Levitating (arr. Mark Brymer): SSA Choral Octavo

Mark Brymer's arrangement captures the infectious groove and layered vocal textures of the original while keeping the writing accessible for SSA ensembles. The piece maintains the infectious energy and contemporary feel that makes students genuinely excited to rehearse and perform it. Programming this opens conversations about arranging, style, and how hit songs can serve serious musical learning.

Pure optimism wrapped in a funk groove. The arrangement pulses with rhythmic energy while the layered voices create a contemporary sound that feels both polished and playful. There's something irresistible about the way these parts fit together, generating that specific satisfaction that comes from nailing a piece built on repetition and collective precision.

SSA choirs seeking contemporary repertoire with genuine musical substance. This works equally well for high school ensembles building confidence with pop arrangements and college/community groups wanting to connect with modern songwriting. Directors looking to bridge the gap between what students hear on streaming services and meaningful choral experience will find this particularly valuable.

• Lock the foundational pulse in the lower voice parts first. The funk foundation lives in the bass line and second soprano part, so solidify those voices before layering the melody.
• Maintain consistent rhythmic precision around the syncopated figures. These happen throughout all three parts, and slight variations between voices will muddy the groove.
• Shape the dynamic arc across entire phrases rather than hitting every accent with equal force. The track builds momentum through intensity and vocal texture layering, not just volume changes.
• Experiment with subtle variations in vowel color between phrase repetitions. Small adjustments keep the repetitive melody fresh without sacrificing blend.

Insert this into a set of contemporary hits to demonstrate how professional arrangers translate pop production into choral texture. The energetic character makes it a strong choice for the second half of a concert, where it can refresh audience attention without jarring tonal contrast. Consider pairing it with other funk or groove-based repertoire to build thematic coherence around rhythm and contemporary songwriting.

• Syncopated rhythm reading across multiple voice parts simultaneously
• Maintaining consistent groove and subdivision in contemporary styles
• Blending layered vocal textures created through arrangement rather than traditional four-part harmony
• Stylistic interpretation of contemporary pop and funk music
• Part independence while maintaining overall ensemble cohesion