Together Wherever We Go: SATB Choral Octavo

Jay Althouse's arrangement captures the emotional core of Sondheim's original without sacrificing the melody's infectious optimism. The accessible voicing means your singers can focus on the genuine sentiment of friendship rather than fighting the notation, while the optional choreography (detailed on the accompanying DVD) gives you a ready-made performance concept that students genuinely enjoy executing.

Warm and assured. The melody has an inevitability to it that makes singers feel confident even as they're learning the part, and the message of solidarity resonates with singers who want their performance to mean something beyond technical display. There's joy here that doesn't require winking or camp, just honesty.

Any SATB choir looking for an uplifting, relevant contemporary selection with genuine theatrical appeal. This works equally well for high school choirs, adult community groups, and collegiate ensembles seeking a lighter, more optimistic program piece that still showcases four-part writing.

• Balance the homophonic sections against the moments where voices move independently; the arrangement's beauty lies in how it shifts between full choir unison and four-part texture to emphasize the message of togetherness.
• Treat the lyrics as declarations, not mere text. Sondheim's affirmation of friendship deserves conviction from every section; underplay nothing.
• Reference the recorded accompaniment to nail the style and energy level, especially if you're incorporating the staging; the recording models the intended theatrical enthusiasm without overplaying it.
• Pay attention to vowel consistency across the parts, particularly in the sustained moments. These sections reveal any lack of blend between sections.

Program this as a finale or closer to a spring or end-of-year concert when you want to send the audience out with genuine emotion rather than novelty. It also pairs naturally with other contemporary pop or musical theater selections, or it can anchor a program focused on friendship, community, or ensemble identity.

• Singing through ensemble unison and four-part writing with consistent tone and balance
• Interpreting lyrics with emotional authenticity in a theatrical context
• Coordinating singing with choreographed movement and stage blocking
• Maintaining rhythmic precision in pop-influenced melodic phrasing