Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (arr. Hans Kaldeway): SSSAA Choral Octavo

Hans Kaldeway's arrangement captures the infectious groove and rhythmic complexity of the original while making it genuinely singable for five-part women's voices. The SSSAA voicing allows for rich harmonic texture without sacrificing the driving energy that makes this song work in performance, and choirs consistently find students energized by material this recognizable and rhythmically engaging.

Propulsive and modern, with the funky backbone that defined the original sitting comfortably in a five-part voicing. The arrangement pulses with energy and attitude, inviting singers to feel the groove rather than simply deliver the notes, creating a performance experience that feels current and alive.

Choirs seeking contemporary repertoire that connects with students and audiences without compromising musical substance. This works for upper-level high school choirs, college groups, and show choirs looking to expand beyond traditional pop arrangements into material with genuine rhythmic sophistication.

• Lock the syncopation across all five parts by drilling the rhythmic figures in isolation before adding melodic content; the arrangement's power depends on everyone hitting these figures together.
• Shape the dynamics to mirror the original's building intensity rather than staying at one volume level throughout; early sections should feel more intimate before the arrangement opens up.
• Keep the diction crisp and articulate, especially on repeated syllables and the iconic opening phrase, which demands precision to land with the intended impact.
• Emphasize the interplay between soprano lines and the lower voices; the arrangement likely features call-and-response moments that need clear spatial separation in the balance.

Program this as a concert finale or as part of a contemporary music set that bridges classical and popular repertoire. The immediate familiarity makes it excellent for pops concerts, community performances, or showcases where you want to demonstrate that choral music lives in the world students actually inhabit.

• Syncopated rhythm reading and execution in a funk context
• Five-part harmonic balance and blend
• Articulation and rhythmic clarity in fast-moving passages
• Stylistic interpretation of contemporary pop music
• Call-and-response phrasing and entrances