Today Was A Fairytale: SSA Choral Octavo

Mark Brymer's arrangement captures the infectious optimism of the original without oversimplifying it, making this a genuinely fun choice for SSA choirs who want to perform repertoire their singers actually connect with. The piece sits well for younger voices and intermediate ensembles, offering accessibility without condescension.

Bright and hopeful, with a dreamy quality that matches the fairytale concept. The piece has the warmth of a first crush captured in song, complete with the giddy energy and gentle vulnerability that makes the original so appealing.

SSA and SSAA choirs at the middle school through early high school level, and any ensemble looking for contemporary pop music that works for female or mixed voices. This arrangement suits directors who want to program something their singers recognize and genuinely enjoy.

• Keep the tempo bouncy but controlled; the charm lives in the rhythmic lift, not in rushing the phrases.
• Balance the SSA voicing so the melody stays prominent even when all three parts are moving; younger singers often disappear into the harmony.
• Shape the storytelling arc of the lyrics rather than treating each section as equally important; the narrative builds toward the final realization.

Consider this for winter or spring concerts where you want a contemporary break from traditional choral repertoire, or as an opener that immediately engages your audience. It pairs well with other pop arrangements or as a standalone showcase for your SSA voices.

• Phrasing across longer melodic lines without breaking for breath
• Balancing melody against harmonic accompaniment in three-part voicing
• Connecting lyrical storytelling to musical interpretation in contemporary styles
• Ensemble blend when multiple parts move independently