Son-Of-A-Preacher Man (arr. Mac Huff): SSA Choral Octavo

Mac Huff's arrangement captures the swagger and sass of this funk-soul classic while keeping it accessible for SSA choirs. The groove sits naturally in women's voices, and the harmonic language gives singers something substantial to sink their teeth into without requiring extensive jazz training.

Confident and cool, with an undercurrent of humor and attitude. The arrangement has a laid-back funk foundation that lets singers feel confident in the music while delivering the confidence of the original performance.

SSA and SSAA choirs looking for contemporary material with real groove and personality. This works equally well for show choirs, pop ensembles, and traditional choirs wanting to expand their repertoire beyond classical or sacred music.

• Anchor the rhythm section feel from the beginning. The pocket here is everything; if the pulse feels tentative, the whole arrangement loses its attitude.
• Shape the melody line with conversational phrasing rather than traditional legit singing. This song lives in the space between sung and spoken.
• Balance the parts so the bass line sits cleanly underneath the upper voices. Too much weight on bottom can muddy the funk feel.

Drop this into a pops concert or spring show to give audiences something they recognize and enjoy. It pairs well with other soul and pop standards, and the 11-page length makes it manageable alongside longer works in a rehearsal schedule.

• Rhythmic precision in funk and soul grooves
• Part independence and listening across three vocal lines
• Interpreting stylistic inflection and swing in popular music
• Balancing energy and restraint in contemporary vocal arrangements