Walking On Broken Glass (arr. Ed Aldcroft): SATB Choral Octavo

Ed Aldcroft's arrangement captures the propulsive energy of the original while giving singers genuine parts to sing rather than simply doubling the hit. The piece sits well for mixed voices, and the rhythmic precision it demands makes this an excellent tool for teaching contemporary pop repertoire with real musical substance.

Urgent and driving, with a sharp edge beneath the accessibility. The arrangement maintains the original's propulsive momentum while creating opportunities for four-part independence, giving singers the satisfaction of building something sonically complex from a familiar foundation.

Choirs seeking current pop repertoire that doesn't sacrifice musicianship will find this arrangement challenges singers rhythmically and melodically. It works equally well for high school groups wanting accessible concert material and community choirs looking to engage audiences with a recognizable contemporary song.

• Lock the rhythmic precision from the opening. This arrangement lives and dies by crisp articulation and unified pulse, especially in the unison sections that drive the song forward.
• Balance the soprano line carefully when it carries the main melody. The other voices are equally rhythmically active and can overshadow this essential component if not monitored.
• Shape the dynamic arc deliberately. The song's relentless energy can flatten if every phrase gets the same intensity; find the peaks and valleys within each section.
• Keep the accompaniment track as your tempo anchor during rehearsal. Once singers internalize the groove, they'll lock in much faster than with traditional conducting alone.

This sits naturally in a concert that balances classical or jazz repertoire with a contemporary moment. It's particularly effective as a transition piece or finale when you want to send audiences out energized, or as a showcase for what your singers can accomplish with modern material.

• Rhythmic precision in syncopated pop idioms
• Maintaining independence while singing active accompanying lines
• Balancing melodic lines against rhythmically complex backgrounds
• Connecting contemporary pop repertoire to choir technique
• Performing with precision to recorded accompaniment