Twentysomething (arr. Tijs Krammer): SSAA Choral Octavo

Tijs Krammer's arrangement captures Cullum's reflective vocal sensibility while creating something genuinely singable for upper voices. The pop idiom feels current without dating itself, and the 17 pages provide enough harmonic color and structural interest to keep singers engaged throughout rehearsals.

Introspective and warm, with the intimate quality of a voice confiding something important. The arrangement respects the song's reflective character while allowing the choir to inhabit the emotional space Cullum created; singing it feels less like performing a pop cover and more like sharing a genuine moment.

Directors programming a concert that bridges classical choral traditions and contemporary popular music will find this arrangement accessible for good sight readers while musically credible. It works well for choirs seeking repertoire that resonates with younger singers and audiences without sacrificing musical sophistication.

• Establish the rhythmic pocket early. This arrangement sits comfortably in a conversational tempo, so lock in the groove from the first rehearsal rather than letting it breathe unevenly.
• Balance the syllabic text setting with the sustained passages. The transitions between rhythmic and lyrical sections need intentional dynamic shaping to preserve the song's narrative arc.
• Pay attention to voice leading in the inner parts. SSAA voicing can obscure melodic lines if altos aren't supported equally with sopranos; ensure the arrangement breathes as an integrated whole.

Place this in a set alongside other contemporary art songs or as a standalone moment between larger choral works; its brevity and tonal palette make it ideal for creating conversational programming breaks. It also pairs naturally with other pop or jazz arrangements if your concert embraces a broader interpretive lens.

• Phrasing in the pop idiom without sacrificing legit vocal production
• Reading and balancing four-part voices in close harmony
• Sustaining emotional authenticity when singing text that requires conversational delivery
• Executing rhythmic precision in syncopated passages within a lyrical context