True Colours (arr. Sam Burns): SSATTB Choral Octavo

Sam Burns captures the emotional core of this song while keeping the arrangement accessible for upper elementary through middle school choirs. The message of self-acceptance carries real weight with young singers, and the pop style opens doors to students who might not initially connect with traditional choral repertoire.

Warm and affirming, with moments of genuine uplift. The arrangement balances accessibility with genuine musicality, never condescending to the style or the message.

This works beautifully for upper elementary, middle school, and early high school choirs seeking contemporary pop repertoire with substance. It's also ideal for programs that blend traditional choral music with modern material or for concert themes centered on identity and acceptance.

• Anchor the dynamic arc in the first verse; this arrangement earns its climax, so resist the urge to sing too loud too soon.
• Shape the melodic line with phrase contours rather than straight tone; let the text guide the natural rise and fall of each section.
• Balance the SA sections carefully in the chorus so individual voices remain distinct while the harmony feels unified.
• Treat the alto part as a true melodic line rather than filler; it often carries essential harmonic function and deserves clarity.

Pair this with other pop arrangements for a full contemporary set, or use it as a solo selection when you want to shift the emotional tone of a concert. The positive message makes it particularly effective for school assemblies or programs celebrating diversity and inclusion.

• Singing in a cappella or light accompaniment contexts
• Blend and balance in four and five-part harmony
• Interpreting contemporary pop idioms with vocal control
• Text expression and emotional communication within pop style
• Reading straightforward pop harmonic structures