Put a Little Love in Your Heart: SATB Choral Octavo

Jay Althouse's arrangement captures the infectious groove of the original while keeping the voicing accessible for mixed choirs at intermediate to advanced levels. The soul and funk elements are genuinely present in the writing, not forced; your singers will feel the pocket and want to dig in. Programming this sends a clear message about your choir's range and your commitment to repertoire that matters lyrically.

The arrangement radiates warmth and forward momentum. There's a funky backbone with real soul underneath, making singers feel like they're part of something vital rather than performing a nostalgia trip. The positive message and driving groove create an energy that audiences recognize instantly.

Mixed choirs with solid rhythmic reading skills and comfort navigating syncopated pop and soul styles. Groups that have performed other contemporary and classic pop repertoire will find this accessible; newer ensembles may need extra rehearsal time on rhythm and pulse.

• Establish the groove early in rehearsal by having your rhythm section (or recorded accompaniment) lock in before asking singers to layer their parts; this song lives or dies by its rhythmic pocket.
• Pay attention to the syllable rhythm in the chorus; the text rhythms are tight and syncopated, so marking beat subdivisions during the first pass keeps everyone aligned.
• Honor the soul in the dynamics and phrasing; this isn't a concert spiritual, but it does deserve intentional attention to vowel shapes and phrase breathing that lets the message land.

This works perfectly as a closing number for spring or end-of-year concerts, especially in mixed-genre programs where you're showcasing choir versatility. It also fits well in community service or benefit concert contexts where the lyrical message aligns with the event's mission.

• Reading and performing syncopated rhythms in a pop/soul idiom
• Maintaining ensemble pulse and groove in contemporary settings
• Interpreting dynamics and phrasing for emotional impact in secular repertoire
• Balancing multiple rhythmic layers within a single voicing