Magic to Do: SSA Choral Octavo

Alan Billingsley has reimagined this familiar Broadway standard with genuine freshness rather than nostalgia. The arrangement respects what audiences already love about the song while giving it contemporary energy that resonates with today's singers, making it feel both recognizable and newly alive on stage.

Bright, propulsive, and tinged with the theatrical charm of its Broadway origins. The piece sparkles with optimism and forward motion, capturing the magic of possibility that defines the song's message.

This arrangement works for developing SSA or SSAA choirs ready for contemporary pop choral repertoire with character and musicality. The familiarity of the song draws singers in quickly, while Billingsley's arrangement provides enough complexity to engage more experienced ensembles.

• Keep the tempo buoyant and infectious. The arrangement thrives on rhythmic vitality, so avoid letting the piece settle into a slog even during the slower moments.
• Balance clarity in the SSA voicing by ensuring the top line cuts through without overwhelming the harmonic foundation. Billingsley's writing relies on textural interplay, not on the sopranos dominating.
• Use dynamic contrast strategically throughout. Schwartz's original melody benefits from thoughtful shaping; resist performing at one volume level.
• Take advantage of the recorded accompaniment to lock ensemble precision, especially in the more rhythmically intricate sections where the arrangement departs from traditional choral phrasing.

Program this as a spring concert opener or as part of a Broadway or contemporary popular music set alongside other musical theater selections. The energy and audience recognition make it ideal for reaching families and general music listeners while showcasing your choir's ability to tackle modern choral arranging.

• Singing contemporary pop choral arrangements with rhythmic accuracy
• Balancing individual voice parts within SSA/SSAA textures
• Interpreting Broadway material for choir with theatrical expression
• Connecting to recorded accompaniment while maintaining independent singing