What About Us (arr. Hans Reintjes): SSATB Choral Octavo

Hans Reintjes has crafted an arrangement that honors the song's defiant energy while making it genuinely singable for a mixed choir. The writing sits comfortably across SSAA voicing without oversimplifying the harmony, and the emotional arc of the piece translates powerfully when students commit to its message of standing together.

Powerful and unified, with an undercurrent of solidarity that builds through the arrangement. The piece invites singers to inhabit conviction rather than simply perform, creating an experience that feels earned rather than manufactured.

Choirs seeking contemporary repertoire with substance will find this arrangement highly effective at the middle to advanced level. It works equally well for treble choirs or mixed ensembles, and appeals to singers who respond to modern material with a message.

• Treat the piece rhythmically as pop music, not classical. Slight swing and forward momentum in the eighth notes will ground it in the style without overthinking.
• Balance the soprano and alto lines in the harmony sections; the engagement comes from the texture being clear, not from one voice dominating.
• Work the lyrics with conviction. This arrangement thrives when singers understand they're advocating for something, not just singing notes.

This works beautifully on a concert that celebrates contemporary voices or thematic programming around resilience and social awareness. It also serves as a gateway piece for choirs new to pop arrangements, offering substantive musicality while remaining accessible.

• Singing within a contemporary pop idiom while maintaining choral blend
• Balancing multiple harmonic lines in close voicing
• Interpreting and conveying lyrical meaning in an ensemble setting
• Reading and maintaining rhythmic precision in syncopated figures