Twentysomething (arr. Roel Griffioen): SSMAA Choral Octavo

Roel Griffioen's arrangement transforms a deeply personal pop song into something that sings beautifully in five parts. The SSMAA voicing keeps the piece accessible while creating genuine harmonic interest, and the a cappella setting puts all the focus on the choir's ability to shape phrase and support the emotional arc of the lyric.

Intimate and reflective, with the introspection of a late-night conversation. The five-part writing creates surprising harmonic moments that shift the emotional weight without losing the song's essential directness.

This works for choirs comfortable with contemporary pop idiom and capable of holding tuning without accompaniment. It's ideal for groups looking to expand their modern repertoire while maintaining musical substance.

• Establish a clear sense of pulse early in rehearsal using body percussion or conducting exercises; without instrumental support, the choir becomes the timekeeper and must internalize the groove.
• Shape dynamics across longer phrases rather than measure by measure; this arrangement rewards sustained storytelling and breath control.
• Balance the soprano and mezzo lines carefully so neither dominates, especially in unison or octave doublings where blend directly affects tuning.
• Let the altos and basses anchor the harmonic foundation; their steadiness frees the upper voices to breathe and phrase expressively.

Pair this alongside other contemporary pop or jazz-inflected arrangements to showcase your choir's versatility in a modern concert. Its moderate length and emotional restraint make it an excellent programming bridge between more formal classical works and lighter pop selections.

• Maintaining intonation and ensemble cohesion in a cappella settings
• Singing sustained harmonic textures across five parts
• Interpreting contemporary song language with jazz-influenced phrasing
• Balancing multiple melodic lines to highlight the arrangement's harmonic movement