Meant to Be: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Bright and infectious, with the swagger of a modern country-pop crossover hit. The energy builds from the intimate verses to an anthemic, handclap-driven finish that leaves audiences smiling.

Mixed choirs seeking contemporary pop repertoire that connects with students' musical tastes. This works well for groups comfortable with stylized pop singing and eager to perform current chart material that still offers genuine musical challenge.

• Balance the solo voices over the choir in verse sections; use the recorded track to find the right dynamic level during early rehearsals, then gradually reduce reliance on it as singers internalize the groove.
• Shape the chorus hook with clear vowel unification across all voice parts to let the harmony cut through cleanly.
• Make the handclap section at the end rhythmically precise and energized; even a small choir clapping together creates momentum, so count it in confidently and maintain forward motion.
• Lock the rhythm section (bass and kick drum in the track) with your lower voices to establish a solid groove that supports the soloists.

Program this as an energizer in a concert of mixed repertoire, particularly if you're pairing classical or show tunes with contemporary selections. It works especially well as a closer or second-to-last piece, where its upbeat character and audience familiarity can send people out happy.

• Balancing solo and ensemble textures within a single arrangement
• Singing with rhythmic precision in a contemporary pop idiom
• Navigating genre-specific vocal production (pop/country phrasing and tone)
• Executing rhythmic precision in unison passages (handclaps, spoken or sung interjections)