Thriller (arr. Deke Sharon): SATB Choral Octavo

Deke Sharon's arrangement captures the spine tingling energy of the original while making it singable for mixed voices at a reasonable difficulty level. Your singers will recognize it immediately, and audiences will feel the swagger of one of the most iconic pop songs ever recorded. This is the rare contemporary piece that satisfies both entertainment value and legitimate musical engagement.

Spooky, sly, and irresistible. The arrangement maintains the original's dance floor swagger while building moments of genuine vocal sophistication. Your singers will feel the satisfaction of nailing something that sounds genuinely cool.

Choirs looking to program something current and culturally resonant without sacrificing musicianship. SATB ensembles at the middle school through adult level will find this accessible and energizing.

• Study the original recording together as a choir before diving into parts. Let students internalize the groove, the iconic vocal hooks, and the production details they'll be recreating.
• Lock in the rhythmic precision early. The strength of this arrangement lives in tight ensemble phrasing and crisp articulation, especially on the signature lines.
• Balance the bass line with care. It carries the harmonic foundation and should lock solidly with the beat without overbalancing the texture.
• Stage a simple choreography or blocking to match the song's theatrical DNA. Even minimal movement breathes life into what could otherwise feel like a straight choral reading.

Build a concert around contemporary pop hits, or drop this into a fall season performance where the season calls for something with theatrical bite. It also works beautifully as a show choir feature or in a pops concert where you want to prove your singers can handle real production values.

• Rhythmic precision in syncopated ensemble contexts
• Layered vocal independence (each part carrying distinct material)
• Stylistic awareness of contemporary pop vocal production
• Blend and balance in dense harmonic textures
• Sustained energy over an 18-page arrangement