Try a Little Tenderness: SSA Choral Octavo

Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures the soul of Redding's version while tailoring it perfectly for SSA voices. The slow, soulful pacing gives singers room to shape phrases expressively, and that marvelous final chord creates a moment of real emotional payoff that audiences remember long after the concert ends.

Slow and tender, with the weight of heartfelt sincerity running through every measure. Redding's original carries deep soul and vulnerability, and Shaw's setting honors that without losing the intimate, personal quality that makes the song unforgettable.

Directors working with developing treble choirs who want a piece with genuine emotional substance and contemporary relevance. This arrangement is accessible enough for solid sight-readers but demands interpretive maturity, making it ideal for upper-level high school or community choirs seeking repertoire that resonates with modern audiences.

• Shape the melody with rubato in the verses; let singers breathe where the text naturally suggests pauses rather than rigidly metering every beat.
• Balance the sopranos singing the main melody against the supporting parts so the emotional weight of the tune remains clear throughout.
• Take time building into the final chord; resist rushing the approach so the resolution feels earned and powerful.
• Use the recorded accompaniment as a reference for phrasing and tempo, then encourage singers to listen to each other as much as to the track during rehearsal.

Position this as a concert centerpiece that shifts the mood and energy of your set. It works beautifully in a program that otherwise features uptempo pop or contemporary material, offering listeners a chance to sit with something contemplative and genuine.

• Sustained phrasing and breath control over longer melodic lines
• Expressive interpretation and dynamic shaping in a pop-influenced style
• Blending upper and lower harmonic voices to support a central melody
• Responding to accompaniment tracks with flexibility and ensemble awareness