Marvin Gaye (feat. Meghan Trainor) (arr. Jo Annemans): TTBB Choral Octavo

Arranger Jo Annemans has crafted a voicing that captures the contemporary smoothness of this track while giving TTBB singers genuine musical substance. The piece avoids the trap of oversimplifying pop arrangements, instead offering enough harmonic color and rhythmic precision to keep student singers engaged and challenged throughout rehearsal.

Smooth and propulsive, with the gleaming harmonic palette of contemporary R&B and pop production. The arrangement draws you into close, blended sonority while maintaining the infectious energy that makes this song immediately recognizable.

Choirs looking to program contemporary pop with harmonic sophistication will find this arrangement equally suitable for concert performances or special events. It works for groups seeking a modern sound that doesn't sacrifice musical substance, and for singers who want to develop their ear for the harmonic language of current songwriting.

• Nail the unison or near-unison passages first. These moments anchor the arrangement and give singers a shared focal point before the harmonies expand.
• Lean into the rhythmic precision that defines modern pop. This isn't a legit ballad; propulsive, clean articulation of consonants serves the style far better than a classical tone.
• Balance the solo line (whether sung by a soloist or a section) against supporting voices with intention. The arrangement's effectiveness hinges on clarity of texture, not volume alone.
• Work the featured arrangement elements separately before combining them. Isolate what makes Annemans's orchestration distinctive, then layer it back in.

Pair this with other contemporary pop arrangements to build a set that speaks to current musical tastes, or use it as a bridge piece between traditional repertoire and newer works to demonstrate harmonic sophistication in modern songwriting. The nine pages accommodate it well in a mixed concert format without requiring excessive rehearsal time.

• Blending and balancing in close TTBB voicings
• Rhythmic precision in contemporary pop idiom
• Reading syncopated rhythms across multiple voice parts
• Navigating chord changes that move beyond diatonic harmony
• Sustaining energy and forward motion in short, radio-friendly forms