Should've Been Us: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo

Name: Should've Been Us: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-45589
Price: 2.10 USD
Availability: InStock

Words and music by Ludvig Söderberg, Jakob Jerlström, Oscar Holter, Alexander Kronlund, Tori Kelly, James Allen, and Laleh Pourkarim / arr. Rob Dietz

Item: 00-45589

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Taken from her debut album Unbreakable Smile, this rhythm and blues influenced single from Tori Kelly uses fun triadic harmonies that are quickly learned. "Coulda been the real thing, now we'll never know for sure!"

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Should've Been Us: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 16

UPC: 038081513287

SKU: 00-45589

More about this title

About the Arranger: Robert Dietz

Robert Dietz has established himself as a trusted arranger for contemporary choral music, with a particular gift for translating pop and R&B songs into singable, engaging SATB settings. His arrangements for the Alfred Pop Choral Series have become fixtures in rehearsal rooms across the country, known for preserving the character of the original while making smart choices about voice leading and accessibility.

Dietz understands what makes a pop arrangement work in a choral context: clear harmonic movement, rhythmic vitality that doesn't overwhelm young singers, and vocal lines that sit well in their ranges. His work has helped educators bring contemporary repertoire into their programs without sacrificing musicality.

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Why we love this

Dietz captures the swagger and warmth of Tori Kelly's original while building the arrangement around triadic harmonies that singers can actually hold. The rhythmic drive stays front and center without turning this into a percussion puzzle, and the 16-page score gives you plenty of room for musical shape and dynamic contrast. This arrangement proves you don't need complex voicings or tricky counterpoint to make contemporary music feel like it belongs in a concert program.

What to expect

Smooth, rhythmic, and soulful. The R&B influences give the piece a modern sophistication that feels miles away from traditional choral fare, yet the triadic harmonies settle comfortably in the voices. There's melancholy beneath the surface energy, creating a performance that can move an audience rather than just entertain them.

Who it's for

High school choirs and adult community ensembles looking for contemporary repertoire that sounds current without demanding advanced harmonic reading. This works equally well for groups new to pop music and for experienced choirs wanting to add something energetic to a concert.

How to get the most out of it

Keep the rhythm section crisp and deliberate. Even in an a cappella setting, the pulse needs to feel as grounded as it would with drums. Assign a few singers to internalize the backbeat and let others hear it.
Find the character in the lyrical content. The emotional arc of "coulda been" carries real weight, and singers will connect better when they understand they're singing about missed connection, not just delivering a fun pop tune.
Balance the triadic harmonies by ensuring each voice part hears its own line clearly during sectional rehearsals. Simple harmonies demand precision, not speed.

How to use it

Pair this with other contemporary pop arrangements to create a thematic set, or use it as a stylistic contrast piece in a concert built around a mix of genres. The a cappella format also makes it an excellent showcase for your singers' blend and intonation, which works well in the second half of a program when the audience is settled.