Sunday Best (arr. Mark Brymer): 2-Part Choral Octavo

Bright and optimistic with a modern groove that feels effortless on the ears. The arrangement radiates positivity without sacrificing musicality, creating that rare quality where students feel cool singing it and the music still holds substance.

Middle school and early high school choirs looking for contemporary repertoire with real style and accessibility. If your ensemble responds to current pop and funk idioms but lacks reading maturity for complex voicings, this arrangement meets them exactly where they are.

• Lock the backbeat rhythm early in sectionals. The syncopated hits against the steady pulse are what drive the groove, so isolate those patterns and drill them until they feel natural.
• Record yourself singing the melody and play it during warm-ups for a week before rehearsal begins. Familiarity breeds confidence with pop songs, and your singers will pick it up faster.
• Keep the energy lifted and bright throughout, even during softer moments. This style lives in the upper half of the dynamic spectrum, so even a mezzo forte feels appropriately restrained.
• Layer in some body percussion once the parts are secure. Claps, pats, or snaps on beat 2 and 4 will deepen the rhythmic foundation and add visual interest to the performance.

Pair this with other Brymer pop arrangements to build a contemporary set, or use it as a standalone opener for a spring concert when you want to signal that this will not be your typical choral evening. The upbeat character and relatively short duration make it an ideal palate cleanser between heavier classical numbers.

• Syncopated rhythm reading in a pop context
• Maintaining groove against independent accompaniment
• Blending in 2-part voicing with functional harmony
• Singing with contemporary articulation and phrasing
• Balancing rhythmic precision with stylistic ease