When We're Human (from The Princess And The Frog): SATB Choral Octavo

Ed Lojeski's arrangement captures the song's quiet wisdom without sentimentalizing it. The piece asks your singers to inhabit a moment of genuine reflection, which means strong musicianship in service of understatement. Choirs at this level benefit enormously from repertoire that rewards emotional maturity over technical flash.

The music moves with the unhurried quality of genuine thought, as if someone is working through an idea in real time. Newman's characteristic warmth lives here, but without sweetness. The arrangement invites your singers into a private moment.

SATB choirs seeking repertoire that develops maturity and restraint. This work suits ensembles comfortable with contemporary harmonic language and singers who can sustain attention in a reflective piece.

• Shape the phrases to mirror speech patterns rather than purely musical arcs. Newman's melodies follow conversational cadence, so listen for where a lyric naturally breathes and let that guide your phrasing.
• Keep dynamics restrained. The power of this arrangement lives in clarity and intimacy, not volume. A well-balanced pianissimo will cut farther than pushing for grandeur.
• Address the harmonic language directly in rehearsal. Lojeski likely uses contemporary jazz voicings that require precision tuning. Mark any moment where voices move by half-step and work those passages slowly.
• Trust the lyrical content to do emotional work. Singers who understand what the text means will make better musical choices than those given interpretive direction alone.

Consider pairing this with other contemporary film songs or with repertoire exploring themes of humanity and connection. It works especially well in mixed programs where you want to shift the room's energy toward contemplation. The 11-page length makes it substantial enough to anchor a program section without overwhelming it.

• Singing contemporary harmonic language with secure intonation
• Phrasing based on text and speech rhythm rather than bar lines
• Balancing ensemble sound across close, sophisticated voicings
• Musical storytelling through subtlety and understatement