Waving Through a Window (from Dear Evan Hansen) (arr. Roger Emerson): Choral Instrumental Pak

Roger Emerson's arrangement captures the intimacy of Evan's internal struggle while making the piece genuinely singable for student choirs. The pop/rock idiom feels current and relevant to your singers, yet the emotional core stays intact, giving them something real to perform rather than just catchy notes.

Wistful and searching, with an ache underneath the accessibility. The song sits in that space between hope and doubt, where a single voice reaching out feels both brave and fragile.

Choirs seeking contemporary Broadway material that connects with students emotionally and doesn't require a massive band setup. This works equally well for concert choirs wanting to program something their audiences recognize and for show choirs looking to expand beyond traditional theater repertoire.

• Balance the vocal line so the hook lands clearly; this earworm needs breathing room from the band parts to be effective.
• Shape the dynamics subtly rather than dramatically. Evan's vulnerability comes from restraint, not volume.
• Lock the rhythm section (drums and bass) to the click early in rehearsals; the pocket matters more than perfect ensemble here.
• Let the singers sit with the pauses in the lyric. The silence is part of the song's emotional architecture.

Pair this with other contemporary pop or musical theater selections to create a program that feels fresh to both singers and audiences. It's also strong enough to stand alone as a concert opener or closer, particularly if you're programming toward a younger demographic or building a show choir set.

• Singing with contemporary pop phrasing and articulation
• Balancing vulnerability with clear diction in contemporary material
• Ensemble cohesion with a rock/pop rhythm section
• Dynamic control in emotionally driven storytelling