The Anonymous Ones (from Dear Evan Hansen) (arr. Mark Brymer): SAB Choral Octavo

Mark Brymer's arrangement opens this powerful song to a wider range of choirs without sacrificing its emotional authenticity. The SAB voicing sits comfortably for mixed groups while maintaining the song's ability to communicate genuine vulnerability, giving student singers a chance to engage with contemporary musical theatre that feels neither condescending nor impossibly difficult.

Introspective and achingly honest, the piece captures a moment of profound loneliness and the quiet dignity of struggling silently. The melody conveys both fragility and quiet strength, with harmonic support that feels like an embrace even as the lyrics express isolation.

This arrangement works for mixed choirs at the intermediate level and above, particularly those looking to program contemporary musical theatre with substance. It's ideal for directors seeking material that resonates with student singers while offering genuine interpretive challenges and emotional depth.

• Establish the emotional stakes early. This song works best when singers understand the character's isolation and are singing from that place of loneliness rather than simply executing the notes.
• Balance the homophonic and contrapuntal passages carefully so that when the voices move together, it feels intentional and when they separate, each line carries equal weight.
• Shape the dynamics to trace the emotional arc rather than treating dynamics as uniform across phrases. The song's power comes from its restraint; avoid the temptation to oversell.
• Let the accompaniment support without drowning the voices. Student singers often need space to hear themselves finding the pitches and emotional tone.

This fits naturally in a concert exploring contemporary voices in musical theatre or as part of a set highlighting songs about resilience and connection. It pairs well with other Pasek and Paul material or can anchor a program exploring how contemporary pop songwriting has influenced choral repertoire choices.

• Phrasing and text interpretation in contemporary musical theatre style
• Balancing individual emotional authenticity with ensemble blend
• Managing sectional entries and independence within a three-part voicing
• Navigating syncopation and rhythmic flexibility in pop-inflected melodies
• Sustaining legit singing technique across varied dynamic ranges