Requiem (from Dear Evan Hansen) (arr. Roger Emerson): Choral Instrumental Pak

Roger Emerson captures the emotional core of "Requiem" while adapting its intimate duet structure into something that lets a full choir share the weight of the moment. The arrangement respects the song's folk and pop DNA rather than burying it under unnecessary complexity, which means your singers can focus on genuine expression instead of fighting the notation.

Introspective and tender, with an undercurrent of quiet strength. The arrangement honors the song's folk sensibility while allowing moments of fuller harmonic richness that give the choir room to support each other emotionally.

High school and college choirs looking for contemporary repertoire with genuine theatrical weight. This works equally well as a concert finale or as part of a musical theater showcase, and it appeals to singers who connect with modern musical storytelling.

• Balance the melody between sections so the text remains clear through the blend; this song lives in its words, not its harmony
• Let the accompaniment breathe during sustained moments; resist the urge to rush toward the next phrase
• Shape the dynamics gradually rather than in sudden shifts, mirroring how the show's arrangement builds emotional pressure

Program this as a reflective moment in a concert that mixes genres, or use it as the centerpiece of a set exploring contemporary musical theater. It pairs naturally with other shows from the last decade and provides a meaningful contrast to traditional or classical repertoire.

• Singing with emotional authenticity in contemporary idioms
• Balancing solo-like phrasing within a choral texture
• Managing sustained dynamic lines and text intelligibility simultaneously
• Interpreting folk and pop stylistic elements in an arranged context