We Can Sing That: SSA Choral Octavo

Mechem writes pop idioms with genuine musicality, resisting the urge to oversimplify. This piece gives SSA/SSAA choirs access to contemporary song without sacrificing the kind of three-dimensional arranging that keeps singers engaged and gives directors material worth rehearsing deeply.

Approachable but not trivial. The piece sits squarely in the pop vernacular with the kind of harmonic sophistication and part-writing craft that reminds singers they're making real music, not just performing a jingle.

SSA and SSAA choirs seeking contemporary material that feels current without dating quickly. This works for middle school through community ensemble levels when singers have basic blend and can manage independent lines.

• Treat the pop style as a vehicle for clean diction rather than a reason to muddy text. These rhythms and harmonies work best when every syllable lands clearly.
• Balance blend against the energy the piece demands. SSA textures can feel thin if singers aren't singing with real support from the diaphragm.
• Use the interplay between the vocal lines to create musical shape. Mechem typically writes parts that complement rather than double each other, so let that counterpoint breathe.

Anchor a concert segment exploring how classical composition techniques show up in contemporary popular song. It pairs well alongside folk arrangements or other accessible modern pieces when you want to demonstrate range without shocking audiences.

• Singing independent lines while maintaining awareness of harmonic function
• Executing pop stylistic elements (rhythmic precision, text placement) with musical intent
• Balancing contemporary idiom with diction clarity
• Blending SSA voicing without sacrificing individual line color