Requiem (from Dear Evan Hansen) (arr. Roger Emerson): SAB Choral Octavo

Roger Emerson's SAB arrangement preserves the intimate vulnerability of this song while making it genuinely singable for mixed voices at all levels. The piece works beautifully as a concert closer or as part of a thematic program exploring grief and remembrance, and the contemporary idiom gives choirs a chance to program something their singers already know and care about.

Contemplative and tender, with moments of quiet intensity. The piece sits in the space between introspection and shared grief, allowing singers and listeners to sit with complicated feelings rather than offering false comfort.

Choirs looking for contemporary Broadway material with genuine emotional substance. The SAB voicing works for treble and mixed ensembles, making this accessible to high school choirs and community groups seeking something beyond traditional classics.

• Balance transparency in the opening measures so the harmonic progressions can land emotionally rather than sounding muddied.
• The text carries the weight here; work for clear diction and allow pauses to breathe so lyrical moments register fully.
• Layer dynamics carefully to support the emotional arc, building from introspection toward fuller statements without losing intimacy.

Consider pairing this with other pieces that explore loss or memory, or use it as a standalone moment of reflection in a concert. Its contemporary language and emotional directness make it particularly effective in programs addressing mental health, community, or finding light in difficult times.

• Singing contemporary pop-inflected harmonies with accuracy
• Shaping lyrical phrases for emotional impact rather than technical display
• Managing texture and dynamics to support storytelling
• Balancing part independence in SAB writing