What About Love? (from The Color Purple): Choral Instrumental Pak
Arranged by Mark Brymer
Item: 35-PK00093228
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Description
Here is a gospel-flavored ballad from the award-winning Broadway musical "The Color Purple" that sings of the redemptive power of love. The uplifting lyrics sing of joy, hope, tears, tenderness - indeed, the full range of emotion that connects us all as human beings. Ideal for graduation, pop and show choirs and many other concert occasions. Duration: ca. 4:00.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00093228
More about this title
About the Arranger: Mark Brymer
Mark Brymer has become one of the most prolific arrangers for choral music in contemporary education, with hundreds of publications spanning multiple genres and voicing combinations. His arrangements are known for their accessibility without sacrificing musicality, making complex repertoire approachable for student ensembles while maintaining the integrity of the original work.
Why we love this
Brymer captures the emotional core of this Broadway moment while building it specifically for the instrumentation and vocal range you actually have in your choir. The arrangement balances the spiritual weight of the text with musical accessibility, giving every singer something to do without requiring an orchestra pit.
What to expect
Warm, reflective, and genuinely hopeful. The arrangement sits comfortably in a conversational register, allowing the tenderness of the lyric to land without requiring dramatic vocal production. There's a gentle joy here that builds gradually, never pushing toward sentiment but always inviting genuine emotion.
Who it's for
Show and pop choirs will find this especially rewarding, though concert choirs seeking repertoire with contemporary cultural resonance will connect to it as well. Graduating classes appreciate the message, and directors programming spring concerts need repertoire that moves audiences while remaining achievable for mixed ability groups.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the gospel pocket early in rehearsal. The rhythmic feel matters as much as the pitches, so spend time listening to reference recordings and letting the ensemble absorb the swing and syncopation before drilling through parts.
- Shape the dynamics across the full arc rather than treating the ballad as uniformly soft. The text moves through hope, reflection, and affirmation, and your volume should follow that emotional trajectory.
- Balance the rhythm section and instrumental lines so they support rather than overshadow the choir. This arrangement is built for the voices to lead with instruments as partners in the conversation.
How to use it
This works beautifully as a closing number for spring concerts or graduation ceremonies, where its message of hope resonates most clearly. It also pairs well in a set with other contemporary pop or musical theater selections, offering a moment of stillness and reflection between more energetic pieces.
Skills your students will build
- Gospel rhythmic phrasing and swing articulation
- Balancing vocal line with instrumental accompaniment
- Interpreting text with emotional authenticity
- Part independence in mixed voicing (Rhythm parts)
- Dynamic shape across a longer ballad form