One Day More (from Les Miserables) (arr. Mark Brymer): SSA Choral Octavo

Brymer captures the revolutionary fervor of this iconic ensemble number while keeping the harmonic language singable for developing SSA choirs. The arrangement preserves the driving energy and emotional intensity of the original without sacrificing the clarity singers need to lock into the rhythmic propulsion that makes this song irresistible.

The piece crackles with determination and collective resolve. Rhythmic drive propels the text forward while moments of harmonic richness create swells of emotion, capturing both the defiance and the human cost of the revolution that defines Les Miserables.

SSA and SSAA choirs ready to tackle a contemporary musical theater piece with real dramatic weight. This arrangement works for high school choirs and advanced middle school ensembles seeking Broadway material that rewards careful attention to rhythm, diction, and ensemble blend.

• Establish the rhythmic foundation early in rehearsals by isolating the steady eighth-note pulse in the accompaniment; have singers count silently through entire phrases before adding text.
• Resist the urge to rush the tempo during moments of intensity. A disciplined pace lets the harmonic tension breathe and prevents students from losing diction clarity.
• Balance the soprano line against the inner voices so the melody reads without overshadowing the supportive harmonic texture; this requires explicit attention to voice weight during the unison sections.
• Mark phrase endpoints clearly so singers understand where breath points occur, especially in longer declarative passages where the drama depends on maintaining forward momentum.

Feature this as a powerful closing number for a spring concert or as the centerpiece of a musical theater showcase. Its dramatic intensity and recognizable melody make it a natural draw for audiences, and the driving momentum creates a memorable final impression that energizes an entire program.

• Sustaining rhythmic precision within ensemble settings
• Executing sustained legato singing in longer phrases
• Balancing soprano-led melody against harmonic accompaniment
• Shaping dramatic intensity through dynamic control and text projection
• Reading and performing syncopated rhythmic figures