Something's Coming/Tonight (from West Side Story) (arr. Ed Lojeski): SAB Choral Octavo

Ed Lojeski's arrangement gives you two iconic moments in a single package, letting you showcase the dramatic range of your choir without oversizing the ensemble. The SAB voicing keeps the writing accessible while preserving the harmonic sophistication that makes West Side Story so musically satisfying. Student singers connect instantly to this material, and the juxtaposition of "Something's Coming" (hopeful, driving) with "Tonight" (lyrical, intimate) creates a compelling recital or concert moment.

"Something's Coming" pulses with adolescent anticipation, all restless syncopation and building excitement. Then the arrangement pivots into "Tonight," where the music opens up into something tender and vulnerable. The contrast between these emotional states, captured in Lojeski's writing, creates a satisfying emotional arc that feels genuinely theatrical without being overwrought.

High school choirs of developing to intermediate ability will find this arrangement perfectly pitched for their skills. The piece works equally well for community or college choirs looking to add Broadway material that doesn't sacrifice musical substance. Directors seeking repertoire that excites singers and audiences alike will find both numbers deliver immediate theatrical impact.

• Establish the rhythmic pulse of "Something's Coming" early in rehearsal. The piece lives in its forward momentum, so lock the rhythm section into a groove that feels inevitable rather than mechanical.
• Shape the opening phrase of "Tonight" with genuine legit tone. The sopranos carry the melodic line, and this music demands a warmth that won't work if you push for volume.
• Layer your dynamics across the two numbers to maximize contrast. Let "Something's Coming" spark with energy in the middle section, then pull back for a softer, more intimate sound as you transition into "Tonight."
• Use the recorded accompaniment to help singers hear how Bernstein's harmonies sit within the orchestration. Many will be surprised by the sophistication of support underneath their lines.

Pair this with other contemporary American musical theater selections for a themed concert exploring how Broadway has evolved. The eighteen pages give you flexibility to perform either number alone if your concert focus demands it, or pair the medley with a contrasting classical work to round out your programming. This arrangement shines as a spring or show choir feature, where the directness of Sondheim's lyrics and Bernstein's melodies resonates with audiences of all ages.

• Singing syncopated rhythms with precision and groove
• Balancing legit tone with contemporary musical theater style
• Maintaining musical narrative across contrasting tempos and moods
• Reading SAB voicing and blend awareness across three parts
• Interpreting text with emotional authenticity in a theatrical context