The New Girl in Town (from the movie Hairspray): SSA Choral Octavo

Jay Althouse's arrangement gives SSA singers a piece with real attitude and rhythmic drive. The number works equally well as a fun ensemble moment or a sharp comedic highlight in concert, and it doesn't require soloists to land the laughs—the whole section creates the chaos.

Sassy and fleet-footed, with the kind of rhythmic swagger that makes singers feel cool the moment they land the groove. The harmony sits comfortably in the treble range while maintaining the pop sensibility of the film score.

SSA choirs and mixed groups with strong treble sections looking for contemporary material with theatrical momentum. The piece suits middle school through high school singers who thrive on character work and storytelling.

• Keep the rhythmic energy crisp and contemporary. This isn't a ballad; the groove drives the piece forward.
• Differentiate the vocal lines clearly so listeners follow the narrative of rivalry and confidence without effort.
• Lock into the recorded accompaniment's tempo early in rehearsal so singers feel secure enough to commit to the comedy.
• Balance ensemble moments against any solo passages so the story reads as comedy theater, not a technical vocal showcase.

Program this as a featured moment in a pop or movie-themed concert, or pair it with other contemporary music to showcase your singers' ability to handle rhythm-driven ensemble work. The theatrical foundation makes it equally at home in a pops show or a spring concert celebrating film and stage music.

• Contemporary rhythmic precision in pop idiom
• Character-driven ensemble singing and storytelling
• Sight-reading within jazz-inflected harmonic language
• Balancing rhythmic independence across three parts