Popular Song: 3-Part Mixed a cappella Choral Octavo

Jack Zaino's arrangement captures the infectious energy of Mika's original while building in strategic moments of soloist features and full-choir unison that keep singers engaged and invested. The notated vocal percussion part removes any ambiguity about texture and timing, letting your choir deliver a polished, contemporary sound without instrumental accompaniment. This is the rare pop piece that feels fresh in a concert setting while still speaking directly to today's singers.

Energetic and witty, with the sophisticated pop sensibility of Wicked's source material. The arrangement sparkles with vocal percussion and layered harmonies while maintaining an intimate, almost conversational quality in the solo moments.

Mixed voice choirs from the high school level upward who want a contemporary piece with genuine artistic merit. This works equally well for concert programming, showcase performances, or as a centerpiece in a show choir set.

• Spend rehearsal time on the hand-clapping chorus pattern; mark the attacks clearly so the rhythmic unison feels intentional rather than accidental.
• Cast your soloists in the first verse early, then use full rehearsals to find the best blend when all three parts enter on the second verse.
• Lean into the theme during your concert program note: this song resonates because it asks students to question what 'popular' really means, and that conversation deepens their investment in the text.

Pair this with other contemporary pop arrangements for a modern program segment, or use it as a palate cleanser between more traditional choral works. The theatrical DNA and singable melody make it equally at home in a cabaret-style concert or a standard choral recital.

• Reading three-part mixed voicing (SAB)
• Performing notated vocal percussion
• Balancing soloists with ensemble texture
• Executing rhythmic hand-clapping patterns in unison
• Interpreting contemporary pop idioms in a choral context