Make Them Hear You: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Mark Hayes's arrangement captures the defiant humanity of this moment without oversimplifying the dramatic weight. The recorded accompaniment allows choirs to rehearse independently while maintaining the theatrical integrity of the original, making this accessible for groups without a full pit orchestra.

A moment of quiet determination before action, where personal conviction crystallizes into collective voice. The music holds both vulnerability and resolve, inviting singers to find authenticity in a character's final appeal to change the world.

Choirs seeking repertoire with Broadway credibility and genuine dramatic substance will find this octavo rewarding. Secondary and college choirs, as well as show choirs looking to expand beyond pop settings, can tackle the vocal writing and emotional demands effectively.

• Balance the vocal lines so the message remains clear; resist the urge to oversing the emotion, which can undermine the song's quiet power.
• Use the recorded accompaniment early in rehearsals to establish the harmonic context and dramatic pacing, then work toward independence from it.
• Shape the phrase architecture around the text, allowing natural breathing points to prevent the piece from becoming rhythmically static.
• Consider how ensemble dynamics shift across the piece; moments of unison or two-part writing should feel intentional and not accidental.

Program this as a powerful standalone piece in a concert focused on social justice themes, or pair it with other contemporary or theatrical selections for a mixed program that bridges classical and modern idioms. Its dramatic specificity makes it compelling in context-driven concerts rather than thematic variety programs.

• Singing stylized Broadway phrasing within a choral ensemble context
• Dramatic interpretation and character voice in secular repertoire
• Reading and performing with recorded accompaniment
• Ensemble balance when singing against fuller orchestral textures