This Is It (arr. Alan Billingsley): SATB Choral Octavo

Alan Billingsley's arrangement captures the infectious energy of this tune while keeping the four-part writing clean and teachable. The orchestration sits comfortably for mixed voices without requiring excessive range or technical pyrotechnics, making it ideal for choirs that want a spirited, fun selection without sinking hours into part rehearsals.

Bright and propulsive, with a vintage pop charm that feels immediate and playful. The piece has a built-in momentum that encourages spirited singing without demanding heavy interpretation or emotional complexity.

This arrangement works for choirs ranging from high school mixed ensembles to community and church choirs seeking upbeat, singable repertoire. If your group needs an energetic filler piece or a fun opener that still requires solid musicianship, this lands in the sweet spot of accessibility and entertainment value.

• Lean into rhythmic clarity across all four sections. Billingsley's scoring rewards precise articulation and unified subdivision, which prevents the arrangement from sounding sluggish.
• Balance the melody between soprano and alto lines during key moments. When the tune splits between voices, ensure one part doesn't overshadow the other.
• Match vowel shapes across the choir for cohesion during block harmony passages. Slight inconsistencies in vowel formation become visible when voices sustain together.
• Shape dynamic swells in relation to the text rather than arbitrary crescendi. This keeps the arrangement driving forward musically.

Consider placing this early in a concert where you want to establish an upbeat tone and engage the audience right away. It pairs naturally with other mid-century pop standards or film arrangements, and its six-page length makes it useful as a confidence builder before more substantial selections.

• Rhythmic precision and unified subdivision in a pop idiom
• Balancing independent melodic lines within four-part harmony
• Articulation control and vowel consistency across the ensemble
• Reading and performing from published octavo format