Sweet About Me (arr. Martin Cornelissen): SATB Choral Octavo

Martin Cornelissen's arrangement brings unexpected sophistication to a contemporary pop song, creating a piece that rewards choirs looking for modern repertoire with genuine harmonic depth. The SATB voicing sits comfortably while maintaining the melodic integrity that made the original memorable, and the length (131 pages suggests a substantial work) gives you real substance to sink your teeth into during rehearsal.

This arrangement carries the confidence and attitude of the original while framing it through a jazz-influenced harmonic lens. Singers encounter lush chord colors and unexpected resolutions that make the familiar feel fresh, creating moments of genuine musical surprise within an accessible pop context.

Choirs comfortable with contemporary pop repertoire and ready to explore arranging that treats the style seriously will find this a rewarding choice. Upper-level high school, college, and community choirs looking to program something current yet musically substantive will connect with this piece.

• Balance the alto and tenor lines carefully; they often carry inner harmonic movement that shapes the overall sonority without needing to push forward.
• Let the soprano line breathe naturally at phrase endings rather than treating every note as equally weighted; this prevents the piece from feeling mechanical.
• Anchor the bass line with clear articulation to define the harmonic rhythm, especially in passages where the chords shift quickly.

Position this on a concert where you want to bridge contemporary pop and jazz idioms, perhaps pairing it with other modern arrangements or jazz standards. It works equally well as a set opener that signals your choir's range and sophistication to an audience expecting only traditional choral fare.

• Singing jazz harmony and extended chord tones
• Navigating inner voice independence while maintaining blend
• Connecting contemporary pop style with classical choral technique
• Interpreting rhythmic flexibility appropriate to the genre