This Day: SAB Choral Octavo

Lisa DeSpain's arrangement captures the infectious energy of the original while making it genuinely singable for three-part choirs. The piece proves that contemporary movie music can have real theatrical impact in a concert setting without oversimplifying the material or losing its spark.

Bright, propulsive, and unapologetically optimistic. The piece moves with theatrical momentum, driven by a modern pop sensibility that feels fresh and immediate. There's genuine joy in the harmonic and rhythmic writing that translates directly to an audience.

This arrangement works beautifully for middle school, high school, and community choirs looking for a contemporary piece with genuine theatrical appeal. The SAB voicing makes it accessible while still offering enough harmonic and rhythmic sophistication to keep accomplished singers engaged.

• Emphasize the rhythmic precision in the opening figures; this piece thrives on crisp, synchronized attacks across all three parts.
• Let the optimistic text shape your phrasing; resist over-legato singing that would soften the song's propulsive energy.
• Balance the divisi sections carefully so that the harmonic movement remains clear rather than muddy.
• Work with your rhythm section using the SoundTrax accompaniment to lock in the groove, then gradually pull back on accompaniment volume in rehearsal so singers internalize the pulse independently.

Open a winter concert with this as your showstopper first number, or anchor a contemporary pop choral set. The lyrics work year-round despite its movie origin, and the theatrical confidence of the arrangement pairs well with either all-pop programming or as a bridge piece in a mixed classical and contemporary program.

• Rhythmic precision in syncopated passages
• Negotiating divisi voicing within three-part texture
• Ensemble balance when singing contemporary pop idioms
• Sustaining energy and commitment through repetitive sectional structures
• Coordination with recorded accompaniment and optional instrumental parts