Turning Tables: SSA Choral Octavo
Turning Tables Sheet Music Preview

Turning Tables: SSA Choral Octavo

As performed by Adele / As performed by Glee Cast / Arranged by Ed Lojeski

Item: 35-DS00237003
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Description

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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 11
SKU: 35-DS00237003

More about this title

About the Artist: Adele

Adele's rise from London soul singer to global phenomenon rests on her ability to channel raw emotion through deceptively simple melodic lines. Her 2011 album 21 became a cultural touchstone, and "Turning Tables" showcases the introspective songwriting that defined that era. For choral directors, her work offers a masterclass in how restraint and authenticity can move an audience more powerfully than technical showiness.

In the classroom, Adele's catalog provides an entry point for singers who might otherwise dismiss contemporary music as lightweight. Her songs demand genuine emotional investment and reward singers who commit fully to the lyrical narrative.

Why we love this

Ed Lojeski's SSA arrangement captures the song's brooding intensity without sacrificing accessibility. The voicing sits naturally for high school choirs while preserving the emotional weight that makes "Turning Tables" so compelling to audiences who grew up with this song.

What to expect

"Turning Tables" carries the restless energy of someone reclaiming their power. The music hovers in moody minor territory, intimate yet unyielding, building from confessional verses toward moments of quiet defiance. There's vulnerability without sentimentality.

Who it's for

This arrangement works for advanced middle school choirs and most high school ensembles, particularly those performing contemporary secular repertoire alongside traditional concert music. Singers who connect with soul and pop music will find genuine musical substance here, making it an effective bridge for programs balancing classical and popular idioms.

How to get the most out of it

  • Build the emotional arc deliberately. The song's power emerges from understatement, so resist the urge to oversing in earlier sections. Let the dynamics speak for themselves.
  • Pay close attention to the interplay between parts. Lojeski likely uses strategic voice leading to create texture; ensure singers hear their relationship to neighboring lines, not just their own notes.
  • Record a rough take early and listen back together. Hearing themselves in context helps singers understand when they're carrying melody versus texture, which sharpens their interpretive choices.
  • Work the text before refining pitches. The lyrical content drives the phrasing; once singers own what they're singing about, the musical choices follow naturally.

How to use it

Position this as a centerpiece for a concert exploring themes of resilience or contemporary songwriting. It pairs effectively with other modern pop arrangements or sits powerfully alongside art songs that explore emotional introspection. The 11-page length makes it substantial enough to anchor a set without overwhelming rehearsal schedules.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustaining emotional intensity across longer phrases without pushing volume
  • Balancing melody and accompaniment in contemporary harmonic language
  • Phrasing lyrics for impact while maintaining vocal line integrity
  • Reading and interpreting expressive markings in pop arrangements

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