We Can: SSA Choral Octavo

Jeff Funk's arrangement captures the infectious energy of Warren's pop composition while keeping the vocal writing clear and rewarding for middle school singers. The piece strikes an ideal balance between contemporary pop appeal and genuine choral substance, so students stay engaged without sacrificing musicality. Programming this alongside more traditional repertoire signals to your ensemble that confidence, hope, and determination matter just as much when they're wrapped in a modern beat.

You'll feel the drive and optimism of an anthem designed to uplift. The melody sits naturally for young singers while the SSA voicing creates brightness without sacrificing harmonic richness, and the pop rhythmic language keeps the piece moving forward with momentum and purpose.

This octavo suits middle school and early high school choirs with solid rhythmic foundation and confidence in pop/contemporary styles. It works equally well for concert choirs looking to energize their programs and for pop or show choirs seeking Broadway-adjacent material with genuine substance.

• Maintain rhythmic precision in the rhythmic sections by keeping a steady internal pulse; the recorded accompaniment can anchor your ensemble if you use it in early rehearsals, then gradually rely on it less as confidence builds.
• Shape the dynamic arc across each phrase to prevent the fast-paced sections from becoming breathless; plan breath marks strategically and remind singers to support the tone even in lighter passages.
• Balance part independence with ensemble cohesion, especially where SSA voicing creates close intervals; blend the upper voices without letting them overshadow the alto line, which carries important harmonic color.

Open a spring concert with this piece to set a high-energy, positive tone for your audience, or pair it with other contemporary choral works to showcase your ensemble's versatility across genres. It works as an excellent motivational choice for solo and ensemble festival seasons or as a centerpiece for themed programs exploring resilience and determination.

• Rhythmic precision in syncopated pop idioms
• Ensemble balance in close SSA voicing
• Phrasing and dynamic shaping in contemporary vocal writing
• Sustained breath support across longer, faster passages