Things We Do For Love: SAB Choral Octavo

Greg Gilpin's arrangement captures the warmth and earnestness of this 1970s pop staple while keeping the voicing accessible for developing choirs. The SAB format allows mixed ensembles to tackle a song with genuine musical substance without excessive technical demands.

Sincere and buoyant, with the kind of earnest sentiment that defined 1970s pop music. The arrangement preserves the original's emotional directness while giving each voice part something musically satisfying to sing.

Choirs at the intermediate level who want to expand beyond standard show tunes and light classical fare. This arrangement works for ensembles exploring contemporary pop repertoire with solid harmonic writing and meaningful text.

• Balance the melody so it remains clear even when the lower voices add harmonic depth; avoid letting the accompaniment parts overwhelm the song's memorable hook.
• Shape the phrase endings with slight ritardando to honor the song's emotional peaks and keep the sentimentality genuine rather than saccharine.
• Blend dynamics across all three parts during the chorus to create a unified swell; isolate each section in rehearsal if balance issues emerge.

Consider pairing this with other pop arrangements from the same era to create a themed set, or use it as a crowd-pleasing finale that showcases your choir's versatility. It also works well as a spring or end-of-year concert selection when audiences appreciate accessible, feel-good material.

• Balancing melody and supporting voices in three-part texture
• Sustaining emotional expression in contemporary music
• Managing legato phrasing across longer musical phrases
• Blending registers when singing pop-influenced vocal writing