Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now (arr. Kirby Shaw): SSA Choral Octavo

Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures the unshakeable optimism and vocal intensity that made this song a chart juggernaut, while the SSA voicing keeps it accessible for developing choirs. The energy here is genuine, not manufactured. It's the kind of piece that reminds singers why they love performing in the first place.

Pure uplift. The piece radiates forward momentum and collective strength, with the kind of singable hook that lodges in singers' heads from the first rehearsal. It's celebratory without being saccharine, powerful without demanding extreme technique.

Choirs seeking contemporary pop repertoire that has real staying power with student singers. The familiar melody and positive message work especially well for groups building confidence or preparing for pops concerts and lighter spring programs.

• Lean into the consonants on 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us' to lock the group sound on this repetitive hook. Precision on the repeated phrase is what creates impact.
• Find the lift in the melody line during the verse sections. These aren't belted moments, but they do need forward motion and clarity.
• Balance the harmony parts so the lead line cuts through. In SSA voicing, the second soprano and alto lines are essential to the texture but shouldn't compete with the melody.
• Keep the accompaniment track tempo consistent in rehearsals. This tune relies on rhythmic drive, so establishing a solid groove early prevents wandering.

Place this strategically in a pop or contemporary choral set where it can serve as an emotional peak or finale. The familiarity works in your favor here, especially for engaging audiences who might not typically attend choral concerts. It also pairs well with other 80s-influenced pop arrangements or modernizes a program dominated by traditional repertoire.

• Sustaining energy and excitement through repeated melodic phrases
• Balancing a prominent lead line with supporting harmony parts in limited voicing
• Singing with rhythmic precision in a pop/rock idiom
• Building confidence with instantly recognizable, audience-friendly material