Treat You Better: Choral Instrumental Pak

Ed Lojeski's arrangement captures the song's core message of respect and care without losing the guitar-driven groove that made the original stick in listeners' heads. Your students will recognize the tune immediately, which means they can focus energy on ensemble blend and lyrical expression rather than learning an unfamiliar melody. It's the kind of contemporary pop that doesn't demand ironic distance from performers or audiences.

Earnest and grounded. The arrangement preserves the song's sincerity while creating space for harmony and ensemble interplay. There's warmth in the guitar-influenced textures and an understated sophistication that keeps the arrangement from feeling thin or overly simplified.

Choirs seeking a contemporary pop title that feels substantive rather than novelty; programs building confidence in students new to ensemble singing through music they already love; directors wanting to program a radio-friendly hit alongside traditional repertoire without sacrificing artistic credibility.

• Anchor the groove with your rhythm section first. Let the piano and bass lock before layering vocals so the pocket feels intentional rather than rushed.
• Shape the phrasing around the lyrics' emotional beats. The message about treating someone better lands hardest when singers breathe at natural language moments, not just at phrase endings.
• Balance the upper voices carefully during multi-part sections. Mendes' original lives in a conversational register, so avoid letting upper harmonies overwhelm the lead line.
• Record a full run-through early in rehearsal. Hearing how all the parts fit together builds confidence and shows singers the arrangement's architecture.

Slot this into a contemporary pop or movie night concert where it can anchor the first half alongside other recent hits, or use it as a standalone opener for a full choral concert to bridge the gap between your audience's musical world and your program. It works equally well as a standalone concert feature or as part of a themed set exploring songs about relationships and mutual respect.

• Maintaining consistent groove and pocket in an ensemble setting
• Balancing lyrics and melody while singing block harmony
• Interpreting contemporary pop phrasing in a choral context
• Blending voices within a multi-part texture without sacrificing individual vocal tone