What Do You Mean?: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Mark Brymer's arrangement captures the song's contemporary sound while keeping the vocal writing accessible for developing singers. The 2-part voicing opens this pop standard to smaller or less experienced ensembles without sacrificing the groove and energy that make the original compelling.

The piece carries the rhythmic swagger and polished production aesthetic of modern pop, with enough accessibility that the song remains recognizable and fun to sing. Despite the contemporary styling, the arrangement respects the emotional core of the original, letting the sincerity of the lyric shine through.

Choirs seeking contemporary pop repertoire that speaks to younger singers and modern audiences will find this arrangement both performable and engaging. It works well for mixed or treble ensembles at the middle school or early high school level, or for community and church choirs wanting to bridge traditional and current musical tastes.

• Keep the rhythm section locked with the recorded accompaniment; the pop production style depends on precise rhythmic alignment rather than rubato.
• Shape the melodic phrases with intent even at moderate tempos; pop songs succeed when singers understand the lyrical arc and emotional trajectory.
• Balance the two parts carefully so neither gets buried in the mix, especially in sections where both parts move independently.
• Encourage clean articulation on the eighth note passages to match the crisp attack of the original production.

This works excellently as a pop crossover selection in a concert that mixes genres, or as a closer that connects with student performers and audiences alike. It also pairs well in a showcase highlighting music young people know and care about, particularly in settings where you want to demonstrate that choral music speaks to current culture.

• Singing in a pop/contemporary style with appropriate articulation and phrasing
• Part independence in a two-part texture
• Rhythmic precision with syncopation and eighth-note grooves
• Blending recorded accompaniment with live vocal parts
• Interpreting lyrical content and emotional subtext in modern music