Running Up That Hill (arr. Roger Emerson): SSA Choral Octavo

Roger Emerson's arrangement preserves the song's distinctive melodic hooks while opening them up for SSA voicing in a way that feels natural, not forced. The piece works as a genuine choral experience rather than a diminished version of the original, giving singers real material to sink their teeth into while maintaining the song's propulsive energy.

Atmospheric and propulsive at once. The piece balances an almost ethereal quality in the harmony with a rhythmic urgency that propels the text forward, creating a soundscape that feels both introspective and dynamic. Singers will feel the pull between restraint and release throughout.

Any SSA or SSAA choir looking to expand beyond traditional choral repertoire with a contemporary pop arrangement that has real substance. This works equally well for high school concert choirs, community choruses seeking audience connection, or small ensembles exploring non-classical material.

• Keep the rhythm driving forward from the first measure. This song lives in its forward momentum; any sagging tempo will drain its power.
• Balance the upper voices carefully so the main melody reads clearly even when the parts are stacked. Test blend in rehearsal with singers positioned at different distances from your podium.
• Lean into the minor key tonality and slightly haunting quality of the original. Resist the urge to brighten it up; that darkness is part of what makes the piece compelling.
• Shape the dynamic arc across the full 13 pages so that climaxes land convincingly. Mark your score with specific targets rather than relying on general markings.

Place this in a concert devoted to contemporary music or pop arrangements to show your singers' versatility and connection to music that matters to their daily lives. It also pairs well in a mixed program as a standout modern selection between more traditional pieces, providing both a tonal and stylistic contrast that audiences genuinely appreciate.

• Sustaining rhythmic precision in a pop idiom with syncopated accompaniment
• Blending upper voices in SSA voicing while maintaining melodic clarity
• Shaping a contemporary pop melody with vocal maturity and control
• Understanding minor key tonality and its emotional implications
• Building stamina across a full arrangement spanning 13 pages