Shallow (from A Star Is Born) (arr. André Bachmann): TTBB Choral Octavo

André Bachmann's arrangement captures the conversational intimacy of the original while opening it up for ensemble voices. The flexible voicing options (TB/TTB/TBB/TTBB) mean you can use this with virtually any men's or mixed choir configuration, and the a cappella texture forces your singers to lock in harmonically in ways that develop real musicianship. This is the kind of contemporary arrangement that reminds audiences that modern music belongs in the concert hall.

Vulnerable and searching, like eavesdropping on an honest conversation between two people figuring out who they are together. The harmonic movement feels almost jazz-inflected at moments, creating an unsettled intimacy that keeps listeners leaning in.

Men's and mixed choirs looking for contemporary repertoire with emotional weight and accessible harmonic language. Directors seeking material that bridges the gap between popular music and concert music without feeling gimmicky.

• Treat each voice part as a soloist first. Even in the full choir voicing, the individual lines should sing with the clarity and intention you'd hear in the original recording.
• Map the emotional arc before worrying about notes. Where does the tension rise? Where does it release? This song lives in the spaces between the lyrics.
• Lock the inner voices (second tenor and baritone) early in rehearsals. They provide harmonic stability that allows the melody to float naturally.
• Resist the urge to add dynamics markings that aren't on the page. Bachmann's restraint is intentional; let your singers discover how little it takes to move an audience.

Program this as a standalone feature that showcases your choir's ability to execute contemporary pop arranging with sophistication. It pairs naturally with other film or musical theater selections, or anchor it in a concert exploring vulnerability and connection in modern songwriting. The 11-page score suggests this is meaty enough to warrant rehearsal time but compact enough to fit into a concert of diverse styles.

• Sustaining a lyrical phrase without vibrato overshadowing the text
• Balancing individual expression against blend and intonation in a cappella singing
• Interpreting contemporary pop phrasing within a choral context
• Reading flexible voicing arrangements and adapting to different choir configurations
• Controlling dynamics in a range that emphasizes nuance over volume