This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) Sheet Music Preview

This Will Be (An Everlasting Love): SSATTB, a cappella Choral Octavo

Words and music by Marvin Yancy and Chuck Jackson / arr. James Rose

Item: 00-PO-0006471

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Description
The international a cappella group Accent has put their own spectacular spin on Natalie Cole's classic. Advanced ensembles can truly sink their teeth into the jazz harmonies and stylized melody of this exceptional setting that showcases all six voice parts equally. Special thanks to Accent for providing the extraordinary demo recording.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 16
SKU: 00-PO-0006471

More about this title

About the Composer: Marvin Yancy

Marvin Yancy was a prolific songwriter and producer who shaped the sound of soul and R&B throughout the 1970s and 1980s. His collaborations with Chuck Jackson produced some of the era's most enduring love songs, with "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" becoming a defining hit when Natalie Cole recorded it in 1975. Yancy's gift for crafting memorable melodies paired with sophisticated harmonic structures made his work ideal for vocal arranging.

Why we love this

James Rose's arrangement honors the original's soul and sophistication while building something entirely new through its jazz voicings and equal distribution across six parts. This isn't a straightforward transcription; it demands serious musicianship from your singers and rewards that investment with moments of genuine ensemble magic.

What to expect

Smooth, sophisticated, and just cool enough to feel contemporary while honoring a timeless love song. The a cappella texture brings warmth and intimacy, with jazz harmonies that shimmer and resolve in ways that feel both modern and soulful.

Who it's for

Advanced choirs with strong sight-reading skills and comfort with jazz harmony. Your ensemble needs six capable voices willing to lock into independent parts that weave together as a unified whole.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the six parts by rotating lead responsibilities across rehearsals. One singer shouldn't always anchor the melody; this arrangement thrives when different voice combinations emerge throughout.
  • Nail the rhythmic precision before worrying about emotion. The stylized melody and jazz harmonies only land when the rhythm section (tenors and basses) sits rock solid.
  • Listen closely to Accent's demo recording to understand the intended tone and phrasing. Their interpretation captures the contemporary feel without losing the song's romantic core.
  • Mark breath points collaboratively with your ensemble. A cappella phrasing needs intentionality; staggered breathing keeps the line alive without sounding like gasping.

How to use it

Perfect for a contemporary pop set or as a show-stopping closer that demonstrates your ensemble's versatility and polish. The accessible melody ensures audience connection while the harmonic complexity signals that your singers are serious musicians.

Skills your students will build

  • Voice independence in complex jazz harmony structures
  • Stylized melody interpretation and phrasing in a cappella context
  • Rhythmic precision without instrumental support
  • Balancing six-part voicing to maintain equal part prominence
  • Ensemble intonation in chromatic and extended harmonic progressions

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