Will You Be There (arr. Alan Billingsley): 2-Part Choral Octavo

Billingsley's arrangement makes this Jackson composition accessible to younger or developing choirs without sacrificing the song's emotional weight. The 2-part voicing keeps the harmonic foundation clear while the 14-page score gives you room to build dynamics, phrasing, and emotional nuance across a full rehearsal period. Audiences recognize this song immediately, which means your singers feel the payoff of their work the moment they perform it.

The piece carries quiet determination and tenderness. There's a vulnerable quality to the melody that invites singers to connect with the lyrics while the harmonic support underneath builds warmth and solidarity, creating a sense of collective care and presence.

This arrangement serves choirs at the middle school through early high school level, as well as community and youth ensembles seeking contemporary material with emotional substance. Directors looking for a piece that bridges popular music and choral literacy will find this especially valuable for engaging singers who connect with modern songwriting.

• Establish the pulse early and keep it steady. This song lives in the pocket, so lock the rhythm section and ensemble into a consistent groove from the first rehearsal.
• Shape the melody through breath and phrasing rather than dynamic changes alone. Small breath placements create the sense of sincerity the song demands.
• Layer your part entrances gradually during rehearsals. Start with one part singing the melody while the other learns support, then reverse roles to build independence.
• Balance the upper and lower parts so neither dominates. The strength of a 2-part arrangement depends on both voices being equally present and confident.

Consider this for concert closers or program moments where you want to shift into contemporary repertoire without losing artistic integrity. It also works as a bridge between classical and pop units within a concert, or as an anchor piece for a concert focused on meaningful contemporary songs.

• Singing with sustained breath support across longer phrases
• Maintaining rhythmic independence in pop idioms
• Balancing vocal line with harmonic accompaniment
• Interpreting lyrics with emotional authenticity
• Reading and performing 2-part textures with clear part definition