Roar (arr. Craig McLeish): SATB Choral Octavo

Craig McLeish's arrangement captures the unshakeable confidence of the original while making it completely singable for mixed ensembles. The pop sensibility remains intact without requiring students to sacrifice musicality or blend, and the eight-page layout gives you enough material to create a genuinely satisfying choral moment without overwhelming rehearsal time.

Bold and propulsive, with the kind of unshakeable optimism that makes you want to stand a little taller. The arrangement maintains the original's infectious energy while grounding it in vocal writing that lets singers feel powerful and present.

Any mixed choir looking to program contemporary pop that feels artistically substantial rather than novelty. This works equally well for high school ensembles, college singers, and adult community choirs who want their audiences to connect with material they actually hear on the radio.

• Nail the rhythmic precision in the opening; pop arrangements depend on tight ensemble rhythm more than traditional repertoire, so lock the groove early in rehearsals.
• Balance the soloistic moments with full-choir sections by carefully shaping dynamics rather than relying solely on vocal weight.
• Keep the text conversational and energetic. This song lives in its attitude, so encourage singers to commit to the emotional content rather than oversinging technically.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to establish the groove and energy level, especially during early rehearsals when students are still learning notes.

Pair this with other contemporary pop arrangements for a concert that bridges classical and current music, or use it as the emotional centerpiece of a spring concert where you want to end on genuine uplift. The confident message works particularly well in programs celebrating student achievement or resilience.

• Singing contemporary pop idioms with musicality and precision
• Maintaining rhythmic accuracy in syncopated arrangements
• Balancing solo and ensemble singing within the same piece
• Connecting emotionally to modern text and performance style