The Best Of Glee (Season Two Medley): SATB Choral Octavo

Roger Emerson's medley captures the infectious energy that made Glee a phenomenon in choral classrooms while keeping the technical demands reasonable for developing singers. The five-page format packs genuine variety without overwhelming rehearsal time, and the pop sensibility keeps student singers engaged in a way that opens doors to deeper musicianship. It's the kind of piece that reminds directors why students fell in love with singing in the first place.

This medley pulses with pop energy and youthful optimism. The five pages whip through recognizable melodies with bright harmonies and moments of unexpected tenderness, creating the same sense of inclusive fun that made the show resonate with singers everywhere.

High school show choirs and upper-level middle school ensembles will find this medley accessible yet rewarding. Directors seeking contemporary material that excites students while maintaining strong harmonic content and part independence will appreciate Emerson's craft.

• Nail the rhythmic precision in the transition sections. These moments define the medley's momentum, so lock in the ensemble pulse well before performance.
• Emphasize dynamic contrast between songs rather than playing everything at one volume. Each number brings its own character; let your sopranos shine in certain moments while the full choir takes over in others.
• Record a rehearsal mix with just one part per voice section and listen as a section. This catches blend issues and intonation problems that disappear in full ensemble.
• Pay special attention to the text clarity in faster passages. Pop arrangements demand crisp consonants and clear vowels so the audience follows the lyrics.

Drop this into a spring concert alongside more traditional repertoire to show range and accessibility. It also works beautifully as a finale or opener that instantly connects with student performers and audiences who grew up with the music.

• Executing tight rhythmic unisons across four voice parts
• Maintaining vowel uniformity in pop style singing
• Reading and performing dynamic markings that shape melodic lines
• Balancing lead vocal lines with harmonic support
• Transitioning smoothly between contrasting tempos and keys