Shake It Off (arr. Frank de Vreeze): SSAA Choral Octavo

Frank de Vreeze's arrangement strips this infectious pop anthem down to its essential melodic and rhythmic DNA while maintaining the energy that made the original such a phenomenon. The SSAA voicing remains singable without sacrificing the song's contemporary edge, making it an ideal choice for mixed-age choirs or programs seeking current repertoire that doesn't feel out of place on a classical concert.

Propulsive and playful. The arrangement captures the defiant optimism and rhythmic swagger of the original while fitting into the choral octavo format. Singers will feel the immediate satisfaction of performing a song they and their audiences know, delivered with real musical precision.

Choirs seeking contemporary repertoire that appeals to singers and audiences without compromising musicality. This arrangement works for high school programs, community choirs with younger voices, and any ensemble wanting to program something recognizable and fun without sacrificing artistic credibility.

• Nail the rhythmic precision in the main hook. This song lives in its groove, so lock the pulse early in rehearsals and maintain it even during slower sectional work on harmony.
• Keep the text delivery conversational and rhythmically tight. The spoken quality of certain phrases should feel natural, not sung in an overly legit style.
• Balance the upper voices when they diverge on harmony parts. Soprano 1 should anchor while Soprano 2 and Alto provide texture without covering the main line.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to establish the tempo and feel, especially if your singers aren't immediately connecting with the pop idiom.

Place this strategically on a program where you want to shift energy or surprise an audience with contemporary polish. It pairs effectively with a mix of pop and traditional choral selections, or it can anchor a set of modern songs that showcase your choir's range and stylistic flexibility.

• Rhythmic precision in contemporary pop idioms
• Clarity of text delivery at faster tempos
• Balancing multiple simultaneous melodic lines in SSA voicing
• Understanding chord movement and harmonic function in pop music