Roar (arr. Theo Janssen): SSAA Choral Octavo

Theo Janssen's arrangement captures the infectious energy of the original without sacrificing singability across multiple voice parts. The SSAA voicing opens this anthem to broader participation while maintaining the driving momentum that makes the piece so satisfying to perform. Audiences respond immediately to the familiarity of the song, and your singers will find genuine joy in bringing this confidence-building material to life.

The piece radiates confidence and forward momentum. There's a celebratory quality to the writing, with layered harmonies that build from intimate verses into full, bright ensemble moments. Singing this feels like claiming space and finding your voice, literally and figuratively.

Choirs seeking contemporary repertoire that energizes both performers and audiences will find this arrangement immediately valuable. It works equally well for intermediate high school choirs and adult ensembles looking to expand beyond traditional classical material.

• Anchor the groove with steady pulse work in rehearsal. Without a rhythm section, your sopranos and altos need to feel the underlying beat as a shared physical experience rather than just hearing it metrically.
• Balance the melody across voice parts by identifying where lines trade primary responsibility. Mark these transitions clearly so singers understand when they're featured versus supporting.
• Shape phrases with the song's original production in mind. Listen to the recorded version together and identify where dynamics swell or pull back; replicate that energy vocally even in the a cappella setting.

Position this in a pop or contemporary music set where it can anchor a concert section celebrating student choice and connection to current music. It also works effectively as a finale number, closing a program on an uplifting and audience-familiar note. Consider pairing it with other modern arrangements to create a cohesive identity for that segment.

• Balancing independent melodic lines in four-part writing
• Maintaining rhythmic precision in syncopated passages without instrumental support
• Blending contemporary production aesthetics with choral technique
• Memorization of extended contemporary material
• Sustaining ensemble cohesion while delivering a contemporary interpretation