Wicked (Choral Highlights) (arr. Mark Brymer): SSA Choral Octavo

Mark Brymer's arrangement captures the theatrical heart of *Wicked* without requiring a pit orchestra or intricate accompaniments that bog down rehearsal. The SSA voicing opens this score to a wider range of choirs, and the highlights format lets you program substantial Schwartz material in one octavo rather than hunting across multiple publications.

Confident and theatrical, with the kind of warmth that makes audiences sit up and listen. Schwartz's melodies sit in a comfortable, singable range while his harmonies remind you that this is serious musical theater, not novelty show tunes.

SSA and SSAA choirs looking for contemporary musical theater that doesn't require a massive ensemble or advanced reading skills. This works for intermediate to advanced high school choirs and any all-female or mixed ensemble wanting a shorter route into *Wicked* without full vocal score investment.

• Shape the legit soprano line with clarity; these melodies are known and your singers will feel the responsibility to honor them. Avoid the temptation to oversell the dynamics when the beauty lives in the line itself.
• Balance three-part writing so inner voices support without disappearing. In passages where the second soprano carries harmonic interest, make sure they're not covered by the altos.
• Lean into the rhythmic swagger where Schwartz's harmonies shift; these moments define the character work and shouldn't feel tentative.

Build a Broadway-focused concert around these highlights, pairing them with other contemporary musical selections at a similar performance level. Alternatively, use individual songs as standalone pieces throughout the year; at 38 pages, there's enough variety to pull one number for a winter concert without committing to the full package.

• Phrasing legit musical theater lines with consistent vowel quality across phrases
• Balancing three-part harmony where each voice carries melodic or harmonic weight
• Interpreting rhythmic nuance and syncopation in contemporary show music
• Performing with theatrical intent while maintaining musical clarity