Living in America: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

Eric Van Cleave's arrangement captures the driving energy of this pop anthem while keeping the choral writing accessible and fun. The recorded accompaniment gives singers a solid reference for this well-known track, making it an excellent choice for concerts that celebrate contemporary music and movie soundtrack repertoire.

High-octane and celebratory, with the driving pulse of a 1980s pop production. The arrangement channels the song's original swagger while keeping things singable and energetic across all voice parts.

Choral directors looking to program contemporary pop repertoire that connects with students and audiences alike. This title works well for choirs at the intermediate level and above who want to explore movie-sourced music with strong commercial appeal.

• Lean into the groove with crisp, articulate consonants; the rhythm section in the SoundTrax recording will anchor your tempo, so match their pocket rather than rushing ahead.
• Balance the melody line across your sections so the main hook lands clearly; this song lives or dies on a memorable tune, so resist the urge to over-blend.
• Use the instrumental parts to enhance texture and energy if your ensemble has available players; they'll deepen the pop production feel of the arrangement.
• Keep the energy up through repeated sections; pop arrangements often rely on groove and attitude rather than dramatic dynamic shifts.

This works perfectly in a pop or contemporary music set, especially when building a concert around film music or celebrating recent decades. The recorded accompaniment makes it practical for spring concerts or all-school assemblies where you want something students recognize and enjoy performing.

• Singing in contemporary pop style with rhythmic precision
• Balancing ensemble blend while maintaining a clear melodic line
• Matching rhythmic pocket and groove to a recorded accompaniment
• Layering vocal parts to create modern pop sonorities