So Easy: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Alan Billingsley's arrangement captures the laid-back elegance of Dean's original while making the parts genuinely singable for high school and community choirs. The bossa nova rhythmic foundation paired with neo-soul harmonies gives your singers permission to relax into the groove, and the recorded accompaniment lets them lock into a professional groove immediately.

There's a breezy, Saturday-night warmth to this piece that makes singers feel like they're part of something cool and modern without any strain. The harmonies settle naturally under the fingers, and the groovy rhythmic foundation creates that satisfying sensation of locking in with an actual band.

This octavo works for choirs seeking contemporary repertoire that doesn't demand advanced vocal technique or complicated part-writing. High school choirs, community ensembles, and college/university groups performing pop-focused concerts will find immediate success with this arrangement.

• Let the rhythm section drive the feel. The accompaniment has a conversational, unhurried quality; resist the urge to push the tempo and allow singers to sit comfortably behind the beat.
• Shape phrases through dynamic shaping rather than dramatic shifts. Subtle swells within the lines preserve the song's effortless aesthetic.
• Balance the blend by emphasizing the melodic line while keeping supporting voices warm but subsidiary; this isn't a thick, dense sound.
• Encourage singers to connect emotionally to the lyrics about uncomplicated joy. The technical ease of the parts should free them to focus on lyrical delivery and authenticity.

Program this alongside other contemporary pop or soul-influenced choral works to showcase your choir's range and connect with audiences who know Dean's original. It's ideal for spring or end-of-year concerts where the lighter aesthetic and uplifting message provide a refreshing contrast to heavier repertoire.

• Singing with a relaxed, conversational tone in a contemporary pop idiom
• Maintaining steady rhythmic feel against a syncopated accompaniment
• Balancing supporting vocal lines with the melody
• Interpreting neo-soul and bossa nova stylistic conventions
• Responding to recorded accompaniment cues and groove