Ordinary (arr. Mark Brymer): SATB Choral Octavo

Warm and introspective, with an intimate quality despite being written for four parts. The arrangement honors the song's contemplative nature while the harmonic language keeps things contemporary and grounded in pop sensibility.

Choirs at the middle school level and above who want to sing something current and relatable. This works equally well for secular community choirs, school groups preparing a spring concert, or programs looking for a breather from traditional art song.

• Balance the texture so the melody remains clearly audible; with pop writing, the temptation is often to double it too heavily. Let the inner voices breathe and support rather than compete.
• Attend closely to the rhythmic precision in the accompaniment part. This style demands crisp articulation and a steady pulse that the singers need to lock into.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to establish the groove early in rehearsal, but eventually rehearse without it so your singers develop their own internal rhythmic confidence.
• Shape the dynamic arc intentionally through the form. Pop songs often build subtly, and your singers should feel the emotional journey rather than sing at one volume throughout.

This fits naturally into a set of contemporary choral works or as a bridge between traditional repertoire and modern music. Pair it with other pop arrangements or ballads for a concert section that speaks to younger audiences and singers who gravitate toward current music.

• Balancing melody and harmonic support in four-part texture
• Maintaining rhythmic precision in pop idioms
• Singing contemporary harmonic language with confidence
• Interpreting dynamic shape in non-classical styles