'Til I Hear You Sing (from Love Never Dies) (arr. Theodore Hicks): TTBB Choral Octavo

Tender and yearning, with the kind of vulnerability that contemporary musical theater does so well. The barbershop voicing adds warmth and vintage character without undercutting the song's sincerity.

High school and college barbershop quartets looking to expand beyond traditional repertoire, as well as established TTBB ensembles seeking contemporary material with emotional substance. This works equally well for competitive barbershop groups and community choirs that want to explore the genre's harmonic language.

• Balance the harmonic foundation in the bass and baritone parts; they carry the chromaticism that gives this piece its emotional depth, so resist the urge to bury them under tenor volume.
• Shape the phrase contours carefully, especially through any sustained passages. Without a strong sense of forward motion, barbershop harmony can feel static.
• Consider the recorded accompaniment as a rehearsal tool first, then decide whether to use it in performance. Some groups benefit from the support; others find their blend strengthens without it.

Pair this with other contemporary arrangements to show how barbershop harmony bridges classic doo wop and modern songwriting, or program it as a contrasting solo feature that lets your ensemble showcase both precision and emotional range. It works especially well in spring concerts where you're moving beyond holiday and classical fare.

• Sustaining four-part harmony while singing contemporary lyrics and melodies
• Executing barbershop-specific voicing conventions (close harmony, chromaticism, seventh chord resolutions)
• Balancing blend and cut across a narrow harmonic range
• Shaping theatrical phrasing within an arrangement designed for ensemble cohesion