Outcast: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Arrangers who adapt music from television have the advantage of working from performances that already proved emotionally resonant with student singers. Mark Brymer's setting captures the distinctive character of the Glee arrangement while making it accessible for 2-part choirs, which means your singers can deliver a contemporary, recognizable song without the technical demands of the full cast version.

The song carries an emotional center that resonates with younger singers because it speaks to feelings of isolation and not fitting in. The arrangement preserves that vulnerability while the relative simplicity of the voicing lets emotion come through without technical distraction.

This octavo works best for middle school and early high school choirs seeking repertoire that excites students by connecting to popular culture they already know and love. It's particularly valuable if you're building a concert that needs a contemporary moment or if you want to reach singers who are still deciding whether choral music speaks to them.

• Balance the melody against any inner harmony lines so the tune stays clearly audible; even in a simplified arrangement, the hook should shine through
• Study the original television performance to understand the dramatic intent, then find how much of that energy translates to your rehearsal space without losing choral precision
• Pay attention to any rhythmic syncopation unique to pop styling; these details separate a groove from something that sounds stiff

Pair this with other contemporary pop or musical theatre selections for a concert celebrating modern music, or feature it as a lighter moment between heavier classical or art song repertoire. The 2-part voicing also makes it ideal for mixed ensembles with developing sight readers or for a casual concert setting where accessibility matters as much as sophistication.

• Singing contemporary pop idioms with proper phrasing and rhythmic accuracy
• Balancing melody awareness in simplified harmonic textures
• Interpretation of emotionally mature content in choral arrangements
• Part independence in 2-part writing that maintains melodic integrity