Once Upon A December (from Anastasia) (arr. Mark Brymer): SAB Choral Octavo

Mark Brymer's arrangement captures the sophistication that makes Pentatonix's interpretations so compelling while remaining genuinely singable for high school and community choirs. The SAB voicing preserves the warmth and ethereal quality of the original without requiring advanced vocal technique, yet still gives singers the satisfaction of performing a professionally crafted modern arrangement.

Nostalgic yet immediate, this arrangement channels the wistful longing of the original while adding the rhythmic vitality and vocal precision that defines modern a cappella. The piece unfolds like a musical memory, intimate and hushed at moments, then swelling with unexpected warmth and harmonic richness.

This works beautifully for choirs seeking modern repertoire that feels contemporary without sacrificing musicality or accessibility. It's ideal for holiday concerts, winter showcases, or any program where you want to program something students recognize and genuinely want to sing.

• Balance the soprano line as a floating melody over sustained harmonies in the alto and bass parts; resist the urge to let it dominate, since the magic is in the blend.
• Work the percussion and beatboxing cues as integral musical voices rather than accompaniment textures; they're part of the harmonic content.
• Nail the dynamics throughout the piece by rehearsing soft passages in isolation, since this arrangement relies on restraint and control to achieve its impact.
• Reference the Pentatonix recording for phrasing and stylistic choices, but find your choir's own voice; don't aim for a carbon copy of the original.

Include this during the winter concert season as a palate cleanser between heavier choral works, or feature it as the centerpiece of a contemporary music set. It pairs naturally with other pop and Broadway selections while offering enough musical substance to hold its own in a traditional concert program.

• Blend and balance across three parts with varying ranges and registers
• Interpretation of modern stylistic phrasing and dynamic subtlety
• Confidence singing a cappella in a contemporary arrangement
• Attention to rhythmic precision and ensemble timing without instrumental support
• Understanding of how vocal percussion and effects function as harmonic material