True Colors (arr. Ed Blunt): SATB Choral Octavo

Ed Blunt's arrangement captures the anthemic quality of this song while making it genuinely singable for mixed ensembles. The arrangement respects the emotional core that made this tune resonate with generations of singers, giving your choir a contemporary piece with real substance and immediate audience connection.

Honest and slightly vulnerable. The arrangement honors the song's message of acceptance and self-worth while creating moments where the voices blend into something larger than any individual part. It's the kind of piece that reminds singers why they joined the choir in the first place.

This works beautifully for choirs seeking accessible contemporary material with genuine artistic merit. It suits mixed ensembles at the intermediate level and pairs well in programs where you want to connect with younger audiences or showcase that choral music includes living repertoire.

• Balance the harmonic texture so the melody reads clearly in whatever voice holds it; this piece relies on listeners hearing the hook consistently
• Approach the dynamics with restraint at first, building gradually rather than pushing hard throughout; the song's power comes from its sincerity, not volume
• Let the rhythm breathe naturally, resisting the urge to over-mechanize pop phrasing; these singers should sound like they're having a conversation, not executing a chart

This belongs on concerts where you're mixing classical and contemporary work, offering a natural bridge between worlds. It also serves as an excellent choice for community outreach performances or school assemblies where the song's positive message lands with particular impact.

• Singing contemporary harmony in a pop idiom
• Maintaining melodic integrity within thick harmonic textures
• Interpreting lyrics with emotional authenticity rather than over-dramatization
• Balancing individual voice parts with ensemble blend in secular repertoire