What The World Needs Now Is Love (arr. Roger Emerson): SAB Choral Octavo

Roger Emerson's SAB voicing strips away nothing essential from this timeless anthem. The arrangement honors Bacharach's harmonic sophistication while remaining accessible to mixed choirs without extensive musical theater experience, making it viable for concert programming that reaches beyond your typical musical theater season.

The arrangement breathes with optimism and gentle persistence. Bacharach's melody sits comfortably in the voice while his harmonic foundation provides unexpected richness, creating a performance that feels both earnest and elegantly crafted.

Choirs seeking a contemporary arrangement of a universally recognized standard that bridges pop sensibility with musical substance. This works especially well for groups comfortable with jazz harmonies and looking to add relevant repertoire that resonates with audiences across generations.

• Pay attention to the harmonic rhythm in the verses; Bacharach's chords move with purpose, and clear voice leading will expose the beauty of his counterpoint.
• Shape the phrase contours with dynamic control rather than relying on tempo changes. This song asks for restraint and warmth, not aggressive delivery.
• Balance the parts so the altos and tenors remain audible throughout. Their lines contain memorable countermelodies that listeners expect to hear.

Include this in a concert exploring themes of social harmony or love, where its message lands with genuine sincerity rather than saccharine sentiment. It also serves as an effective closer that leaves audiences feeling uplifted without veering into novelty.

• Singing jazz harmonies and seventh chord voicings
• Maintaining melodic independence while balancing ensemble blend
• Phrasing in a popular music idiom with subtle dynamic shaping
• Understanding contrapuntal writing in a contemporary context