We Are Young: Choral Instrumental Pak

Mark Brymer's arrangement of these eleven songs manages to feel like a coherent narrative arc rather than a collection of disconnected hits. Each transition honors the original recordings while maintaining ensemble cohesion, and the variety of tempos and textures keeps both singers and audiences engaged throughout the medley's nine-minute span.

A kaleidoscope of genuine emotion wrapped in infectious pop grooves. You move from the raw power of Adele to the disco swagger of Bee Gees within the same performance, yet somehow it coheres. There's vulnerability in the quieter moments and unbridled joy in the uptempo rushes; the medley structure itself becomes a kind of emotional journey.

Directors programming spring or pops concerts who want a show-stopping closer that connects with student audiences and families. This works equally well for middle school and high school choirs seeking contemporary material that's substantial enough to demand real vocal control.

• Locate the recording of the original Glee Cast versions and use them as your reference for phrasing and rhythmic feel; these arrangements preserve the show's signature vocal styling.
• Mark the key changes between segments clearly in your score so singers can mentally reset and nail the harmonic shift each time.
• Balance the energy of the uptempo sections (Stayin' Alive, We Got the Beat) against the vulnerability of the ballads (Someone Like You, The Edge of Glory) to let the medley breathe.
• Work the combo parts independently if you're assigning them to instruments; they often carry rhythmic weight that drives the ensemble forward.

Place this as your finale to a pops concert, or use it to bookend a program that explores how choral music intersects with contemporary culture. It's also strong as a homecoming or spring concert closer when you want to leave the audience energized and your singers satisfied.

• Managing rapid key changes and adjusting intonation between medley segments
• Maintaining rhythmic precision across contrasting tempos (ballad, disco, contemporary pop)
• Blending ensemble sound while executing pop-influenced vocal stylings
• Executing smooth transitions between distinct song sections under time pressure
• Reading combo parts that require independence from the vocal line