The Jackson 5 (from Motown the Musical): 2-Part Choral Octavo

Mark Brymer's arrangement captures the infectious joy and tight harmonic blend that made the Jackson 5 iconic, while keeping the voicing accessible for younger or developing choirs. This is the kind of piece that reminds students why they joined choir in the first place: it swings, it's fun to sing, and audiences recognize it instantly.

Energetic, warm, and supremely singable. The Motown groove sits comfortably in the voice, and the accessibility of 2-part writing means singers can focus on interpretation rather than wrestling with complex voicing. You'll feel the joy of ensemble singing from the first rehearsal.

This arrangement works for middle school and high school choirs seeking modern, recognizable repertoire with solid musicianship beneath the surface appeal. It also fits community choirs and adult ensembles that want material with immediate audience connection.

• Lock the rhythmic precision from the very first phrase. The Jackson 5 sound depends on crisp, synchronized articulation and phrasing, so mark where you want unified breath points and exact cutoffs during rehearsal.
• Shape the melody with the energy and personality of a lead vocalist. Even in a 2-part texture, one voice carries the primary line, so that section should sing with individual character while the other voice supports the harmonic content.
• Lean into the soul and pop inflections Mark Brymer has likely built into the arrangement. Allow the choir to find where dynamics swell, where they can breathe into a phrase, and where the groove sits naturally without feeling mechanical.

Perfect for a popular music or American songbook concert, especially if you're programming pieces that connect students to the cultural legacy of soul and pop music. It also works beautifully as a lighter moment in a longer concert or as part of a program celebrating Motown's influence on modern music.

• Stylistic interpretation within pop and soul idioms
• Rhythmic precision and ensemble cohesion
• Singing through legit and belt vowel colors
• Balancing melody-driven and supporting voice parts