Singin' The 70's (arr. Paul Langford): SATB Choral Octavo

Paul Langford has crafted an arrangement that honors the grooves and vocal swagger of these decades-defining records without losing sight of what makes them work for a four-part choir. The medley format gives you substantial material in a single rehearsal package, and the pop sensibility means your singers engage with music they actually want to sing.

Polished and confident, with the kind of warmth that comes from genuinely great vocal writing. The 1970s soul and pop idiom carries an ease and sophistication that feels accessible to singers even as it asks for real musicianship.

Choirs seeking repertoire that connects with contemporary audiences without sacrificing musical integrity. This works equally well for show choirs, concert choirs, or mixed ensembles looking to program something with immediate appeal and genuine artistry.

• Study the original recordings of each song included in this medley. Your students will nail the rhythmic feels and phrasing much faster when they hear how the original artists shaped these melodies.
• Balance the volume between your sections during the ensemble passages. Pop arrangements often stack voices thickly, so clarity in SATB writing requires intentional mixing during rehearsal.
• Pay attention to the rhythmic precision in the rhythm section parts if you're using accompaniment. These grooves depend on locked-in timing, not just good ensemble sound.

Use this as a statement piece in a pops concert or as a bridge between your classical and contemporary programming. Fifteen pages of material gives you options for either a full medley performance or selective use of individual songs depending on your concert shape.

• Interpreting rhythmic figures specific to soul and pop phrasing
• Balancing independent vocal lines within a modern harmonic context
• Connecting historical recordings to contemporary choral performance
• Managing text clarity and diction at conversational tempos