That's What Love Is For: SSA Choral Octavo

Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures the warmth of Grant's original while building in enough textural variety to keep an SSA ensemble engaged throughout. The pop sensibility means your singers stay invested in the lyrical content rather than wrestling with overly complex voice leading, and the 11-page length keeps rehearsal time reasonable for the emotional payoff you'll get.

Bright and conversational, with the kind of straightforward emotional honesty that pop music does best. The arrangement settles into a warm sound when all three parts come together, creating those moments when singers feel the resonance of ensemble singing.

Choirs looking for accessible pop repertoire that doesn't sacrifice musicality; groups with developing singers who need material that builds confidence through singable writing; directors programming contemporary music alongside traditional fare.

• Shape the phrase lengths by thinking in terms of breath and meaning rather than bar lines. SSA voicings benefit when singers understand exactly where the lyrical message peaks.
• Balance the recorded accompaniment so it supports without overwhelming. Pop arrangements rely on forward momentum, and your sopranos need room to carry the primary melody.
• Work the harmonic movement between the three voices deliberately in measures where the texture thickens. Precision here prevents the sound from becoming muddy.

Pair this with other contemporary pieces in a concert celebrating modern songwriting, or use it as a confidence builder earlier in the season when you're establishing blend and tuning across your ensemble. Its pop energy also works well as an encore or lighter moment between heavier classical selections.

• Sustaining melodic lines across phrase boundaries in pop-influenced writing
• Balancing three-part harmony while maintaining forward musical momentum
• Interpreting contemporary song arrangements with authentic expression rather than classical reserve