We Are Golden (arr. Alan Billingsley): SSA Choral Octavo

Alan Billingsley's SSA arrangement captures the effervescent energy of the original without sacrificing the emotional core that makes the song compelling. The piece sits in a practical range for young singers while preserving the anthemic quality that makes students excited to perform it. This is the kind of contemporary pop arrangement that earns genuine enthusiasm from singers and audiences alike.

Bright, propulsive, and celebratory. The piece radiates the kind of infectious optimism that makes singers feel good about their work. Despite its pop sensibility, the arrangement invites singers to connect with genuine emotion beneath the surface shine.

This arrangement works beautifully for middle school and high school choirs seeking contemporary repertoire with genuine musicality. It also suits treble choirs and women's ensembles looking for material that feels current and singable without sacrificing vocal development.

• Keep the energy buoyant throughout. The text and melody celebrate optimism, so resist the urge to oversing or add unnecessary weight to the phrases.
• Balance the upper harmonies carefully, especially in moments where the SSA texture creates close intervals. Blend matters as much as individual clarity here.
• Lock in the rhythmic pulse with your accompaniment early in rehearsals. The song relies on groove and forward momentum, not on rubato or flexibility.
• Shape the final moments with intention. The conclusion should feel like a natural landing, not an abrupt stop.

Consider pairing this with other contemporary pop arrangements to anchor a modern concert set, or use it as an audience favorite between more formal classical pieces. It works equally well as a spring concert closer or as the opening number of a pops concert. The piece also makes an excellent festival or competition selection for groups wanting to show range beyond traditional choral literature.

• Blending SSA voicing with close harmonic intervals
• Maintaining rhythmic precision in contemporary pop idioms
• Singing in a contemporary musical style while maintaining vocal technique
• Interpreting and performing music from the 21st century pop songbook