Sugar (arr. Wayne Grimmer): SATB Choral Octavo

Wayne Grimmer's barbershop treatment transforms a modern pop hit into four-part harmony that sits comfortably in the SATB range while preserving what makes the song irresistible. The arrangement respects the original's infectious groove without losing the precision and blend required of serious choral singers, making it an ideal bridge between popular music students love and the craft of singing in ensemble.

Sleek and rhythmically alive, with the kind of driving energy that makes singers want to move. The barbershop voicings add sophistication and harmonic depth beneath a melody that's instantly memorable, creating a piece that feels modern but rooted in vocal tradition.

Directors seeking contemporary repertoire that appeals to singers in grades 9 and above, including mixed choirs in high schools and college programs. It works equally well for show choirs wanting accessible fun material or traditional ensembles looking to expand their sound into pop and contemporary territory.

• Lock the rhythm section first: have the bass and tenor parts establish the foundational groove before layering in soprano and alto harmonies, especially during the main verse sections.
• Shape the dynamics in conversation with the original recording rather than against it. The song's energy builds gradually, and your chorus will benefit from restraint early and calculated intensity at climactic moments.
• Approach the barbershop harmonies with attention to balance rather than blend. These voicings ask for clarity within each part, so resist the impulse to over-sing or soften the edges of the chords.
• Mark breath points carefully on your score. Contemporary pop phrasing often pushes singers to sustain longer lines than traditional choral arrangements, and your singers need permission to breathe strategically without losing momentum.

Place this in a contemporary or pop-focused set where it can anchor a non-traditional segment, or program it as an opener that grabs attention immediately. It also serves excellently as a festival or competition piece for groups wanting something with commercial appeal that still demonstrates serious musical chops.

• Singing pop and contemporary music with vocal precision and ensemble blend
• Understanding barbershop harmony voicings and their distinctive sonority
• Maintaining rhythmic accuracy in groove-based material
• Balancing rhythmic independence within parts against the need for cohesive ensemble sound
• Interpreting modern song phrasing and breath architecture in choral context