Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars) (arr. Mark Brymer): SAB Choral Octavo

Brymer's arrangement captures the infectious swagger of this modern classic without sacrificing the propulsive groove that makes the original irresistible. The SAB voicing opens the song to choirs of varying ranges while maintaining the funky edge that keeps rehearsals energized and performances sharp.

Walking into a room where everyone immediately starts moving. The arrangement pulses with confidence, driven by snappy rhythms and a bassline that anchors everything, creating that unmistakable funk energy that pulls your audience in.

Any choir looking to program contemporary pop music that doesn't feel like a novelty choice. The arrangement works for high school and community groups that want something current, fun, and genuinely challenging rhythmically.

• Lock the rhythmic precision before worrying about blend. This arrangement lives or dies by the syncopation; get your eighth note feel locked, then layer the voices.
• Treat the bass line as the foundation of the whole groove. Your section singers need to hear and feel what the basses are doing, not just their own part.
• Keep the sound bright and forward in the mix. These voicings want clarity and articulation, not a warm, blended tone.
• Use dynamics to build momentum through repeated sections. Small additions of volume and intensity across repetitions will prevent the arrangement from feeling static.

Consider this for a pop or secular concert where you want a song that lands with immediate recognition and energy. It pairs well alongside other contemporary pieces and offers a refreshing contrast to more traditional choral fare without compromising musicianship.

• Syncopated rhythm reading and execution
• Funk and contemporary pop style interpretation
• Tight rhythmic ensemble coordination across voice parts
• Part independence within a groove-based context