Think: 2-Part Choral Octavo

This arrangement captures what makes "Think" irresistible: the independence of the two voice parts, the trade-off of melody between sections, and the riff-driven energy that builds to a genuine climax. Tom Anderson and Jack Zaino have preserved the song's sass and backbone while keeping the scoring accessible for developing singers. The included SoundTrax recording lets students hear the 60s soul context they're stepping into, grounding their performance in authentic style.

Walking into this piece, you feel the confidence and swagger of Aretha's original. The 60s R&B groove pulses underneath; the melody bounces between sections with attitude and snap. Harmonically, the arrangement stays grounded and soulful rather than complicated, letting the rhythmic energy and the interplay between voices carry the weight. By the final section, with those riffs building and the ensemble locked in, the effect is genuinely powerful.

This octavo works for middle and high school choirs that are ready to engage with contemporary popular music and soul idioms. It suits directors looking to program something with immediate student appeal and cultural relevance, and it belongs in any season that aims to broaden what "concert repertoire" means. Strong sight-readers aren't required; the accessibility of the voicing makes it achievable for mixed-ability ensembles.

• Lock in the rhythmic pocket early. The groove sits behind the beat in places; have your singers feel the weight of the backbeat rather than rushing ahead.
• Bring out the riff-like solos that drive the final section. These moments are meant to shine; give soloists (or small groups) permission to own their lines without blending them into the background.
• Shape the melody line with conversational phrasing. The lyrics demand attitude; work for clarity and directness rather than lyrical legit singing.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to anchor harmonic balance, especially where one part echoes or answers the other. Students often need to hear how the parts sit together in this style.

Program this in a concert that celebrates American popular song traditions or pairs it with other soul and R&B standards to create a thematic set. It also works beautifully as a crowd-pleasing opener or closer; the piece has enough intrinsic energy that it benefits from a featured spot rather than a supporting role. Consider pairing it with repertoire from the same era or genre to deepen students' understanding of the style.

• Rhythmic independence between voice parts in a groove-based setting
• Phrasing and diction in R&B and soul idioms
• Call-and-response patterning and sectional interplay
• Ensemble blend in contemporary popular music styles
• Soloist confidence in riff-driven arrangements