This Town: SSA Choral Octavo

Ed Lojeski's arrangement captures the contemporary energy of the original while crafting genuine three-part writing that lets each voice line breathe. The piece offers your singers an entry point into modern repertoire without sacrificing musical substance or the hook that made the song memorable in the first place.

Introspective yet driving, the piece centers on a quiet moment of reflection made memorable by its infectiously simple hook. The SSA voicing creates warmth and intimacy, even as the arrangement maintains the subtle emotional tension of the original.

Choirs seeking contemporary material that connects with younger singers and general audiences will find immediate use here. This works equally well for groups ranging from beginning to intermediate singers, provided they can maintain independent lines during homophonic passages.

• Keep the rhythmic pulse steady throughout; the piece's appeal depends on a groove that sits between relaxed and propulsive.
• Balance the melodic line prominently in the first soprano part while allowing the other voices to anchor harmonically without disappearing.
• Attend carefully to the original's emotive phrasing during lyrical moments so the arrangement doesn't flatten into mere rhythm section accompaniment.

Pair this with other contemporary pop arrangements to build a cohesive set that speaks to current musical tastes, or use it as a bridge piece between traditional repertoire and modern selections. The 15-page score suggests a moderate length that fits well into concert programs as a standalone moment or as part of a pop-themed segment.

• Sustaining independent melodic lines within three-part texture
• Interpreting contemporary song phrasing and rhythmic nuance
• Balancing homophonic and polyphonic passages
• Connecting with material outside the classical tradition