One (from A Chorus Line): 2-Part Choral Octavo

Anita Kerr's arrangement distills the song's emotional core into something immediately accessible for developing choirs while preserving what makes One so powerful: the progression from isolation to collective realization. The 2-part voicing lets you cast this across a range of vocal maturity levels without diluting the impact, and the 9-page length means it's substantial enough to showcase real musicianship without becoming a semester-long commitment.

The song moves through gradual emotional awakening, beginning in quiet self-examination before building toward recognition and connection. There's an intimacy here that Broadway doesn't always capture, paired with a mounting sense of hope that feels genuinely earned rather than imposed.

Any choir ready to tackle Broadway repertoire with emotional maturity and solid sight-reading skills. This works especially well for choirs preparing concert programs that need a contemporary showstopper without requiring huge vocal ranges or extended rehearsal time.

• Shape the opening phrases with restraint. The song begins in a place of loneliness, and overemoting in the first verse undermines everything that follows.
• Balance transparency in the voicing so both parts remain audible. Thick, choral blend works against the song's introspective quality.
• Mark the exact moment the emotional temperature shifts and choreograph your dynamic response to that turning point.
• Work the recorded accompaniment to anchor rhythmic confidence, especially through any syncopated passages that differ from standard hymn-like phrasing.

Slot this into a spring concert as your contemporary anchor piece, or pair it with other musical theater selections to create a Broadway-focused set. It also works as a thoughtful closer that leaves audiences in a reflective state rather than a celebratory one.

• Sustaining emotional intention across long phrases without vocal strain
• Balancing independent melodic lines in 2-part texture
• Responding to recorded accompaniment with confidence and flexibility
• Interpreting lyrical content to inform musical choices
• Reading contemporary Broadway harmonies