Treat You Better (arr. Ed Lojeski): SATB Choral Octavo

Lojeski's arrangement captures the emotional core of the song while building genuine four-part writing that doesn't talk down to singers. The piece sits well for high school choirs and gives students a chance to deliver something their audiences genuinely know and love without sacrificing vocal integrity.

Earnest and direct. The song moves with gentle insistence, building from introspective verses into moments of real vocal warmth. There's vulnerability in the writing that asks singers to commit emotionally, not just technically.

High school and community choirs looking for contemporary pop repertoire with substance. Directors seeking songs that engage student musicians while staying musically ambitious will find this arrangement strikes the right balance.

• Balance the alto and tenor lines carefully in the verse sections so the inner voices support rather than compete with the melody.
• Let the lyrics breathe; Mendes' original phrasing favors conversational delivery over strict metric emphasis, and singers often lock up when they force the text into rigid rhythm.
• Lean into the dynamic shape across each phrase to create narrative momentum and keep the emotional throughline clear for listeners.

This works well as an opener or closer on a mixed concert, especially in programs that blend classical and contemporary music. The accessibility and emotional quality make it an effective audience connector in spring concerts or community performances where you want to include student-friendly material alongside traditional choral fare.

• Balancing inner voices in four-part writing
• Sustaining legit vocal tone in contemporary repertoire
• Shaping phrases through textual inflection rather than metric emphasis
• Blending homophonic and contrapuntal textures within a single piece