Words (arr. Paul Ayres): SATB Choral Octavo

Paul Ayres captures the harmonic richness that made the original compelling while writing for voices in a way that feels natural rather than forced. The arrangement respects the song's essential character but opens it up for choir singers to inhabit, giving your ensemble a contemporary pop standard that doesn't sound like it's apologizing for being modern.

Warm and expressive, with the kind of rhythmic ease that comes from a song built on groove rather than formal structure. The arrangement breathes with the intimacy of the original while giving each voice section moments to contribute meaningfully to the whole.

Choirs seeking contemporary pop arrangements that work for mixed voices and don't demand extreme ranges or technical feats. Directors building diverse concerts that move between classical and popular repertoire will find this accessible yet musically substantial.

• Balance the melody carefully in whichever voice carries it; the supporting lines should enhance rather than obscure the main tune.
• Lock into the groove early in rehearsal by establishing a steady pulse before layering harmony parts.
• Work the blend between soprano and alto in passages where they move together, as their tone quality matters as much as their pitch accuracy.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to establish the song's character and tempo reference before ensemble rehearsals begin.

Pair this with a set of standards or pop classics to create a concert segment that speaks to contemporary audiences without sacrificing musicianship. It works equally well as a pops concert feature or as part of a broader program that bridges genres.

• Sustaining pitch while maintaining rhythmic precision in a groove-based setting
• Blend and balance across SATB voicing in contemporary harmony
• Singing with stylistic awareness of pop/soul inflection and phrasing
• Reading and executing counter-melodies and harmonic lines without relying on the main tune