Man In The Mirror (arr. Ed Lojeski): SAB Choral Octavo

Ed Lojeski's SAB arrangement captures the introspective power of this modern standard while keeping the voicing manageable for mixed ensembles. The arrangement respects the song's emotional core without oversimplifying it, giving your choir a chance to explore contemporary repertoire with real substance. Programming this communicates to students that choral music lives in the music they already know and care about.

Introspective yet energizing, this arrangement carries the song's message of self-reflection and accountability. The music shifts between moments of vulnerability and quiet determination, giving singers a range of emotional terrain to navigate within a single piece.

Choirs looking to expand beyond traditional classical repertoire and connect with singers through contemporary music they recognize. This arrangement works for high school and adult ensembles comfortable with popular music contexts and eager to program repertoire that matters culturally.

• Balance the melody line so it sits naturally over the harmonic foundation; avoid pushing the top voice simply because it's SAB voicing.
• Treat the text with intentionality at every phrase. The song's message about personal accountability requires genuine connection, not a surface-level delivery.
• Let the arrangement breathe in the softer sections. Dynamics matter as much as ensemble blend in making this piece resonate.
• Work the accompaniment early so singers can internalize the harmonic context and lock into the groove without constantly thinking about their own parts.

Pair this with other contemporary pieces to build a full concert block celebrating modern songwriting, or use it as a standalone emotional anchor in a mixed program. Its familiarity also makes it an excellent engagement tool for recruiting new singers or demonstrating to audiences what contemporary choral music can accomplish.

• Phrasing in pop and R&B idioms rather than classical style
• Balancing accessibility with emotional authenticity in contemporary texts
• Navigating mixed meter and syncopated rhythmic figures
• Blending voices in SAB voicing across popular music textures
• Connecting to repertoire through cultural context and relevance