Michael Jackson Smash Hits! Volume One: SA Choral Book

These three hits function as an accessible entry point into contemporary choral arranging without sacrificing musical substance. The chronological arc across ABC, I'll Be There, and Billie Jean traces Jackson's evolution as a melodist and showcases different textural challenges, keeping rehearsals engaging across multiple weeks of preparation.

Familiarity meets discovery. Your singers will recognize these melodies instantly, but Simon Lesley's arrangements reveal the harmonic scaffolding underneath Jackson's iconic vocal lines. There's joy in singing these songs, combined with the satisfaction of discovering how carefully constructed they actually are.

Beginning and intermediate choirs will find three well-known songs arranged at appropriate difficulty, with straightforward voicing that builds confidence without condescension. Teachers seeking contemporary repertoire that engages singers emotionally and technically, while remaining accessible for smaller or younger ensembles, have a ready solution here.

• Study the original recordings with your singers before first rehearsal. Knowing the iconic vocal timbres and phrasing instinctively will inform how they shape their own lines and understand the arrangement's relationship to the source material.
• Keep the piano accompaniment rhythmically driving but not intrusive. These songs live on their grooves, so the accompanist should lock the pulse without overwhelming the vocal blend.
• Emphasize the distinction between the opening ballad (I'll Be There) and the rhythmic grooves of the other two songs. This variety prevents the concert from feeling monochromatic.
• Pay attention to Jackson's characteristic articulation, particularly on repeated notes. Brief separations between syllables create the infectious clarity his melodies demand.

These three songs work well as a contemporary pop section in a mixed-repertoire concert, providing stylistic contrast while maintaining musical credibility. Alternatively, feature them as a thematic program exploring how one artist's songwriting evolved across his career, bridging your classical selections and modern works.

• Rhythmic precision in syncopated pop grooves
• Balancing melody and harmony in SSA voicing
• Connecting lyrical content to emotional interpretation
• Reading and executing straightforward two-part and three-part writing
• Understanding contemporary arranging techniques applied to familiar material