You Raise Me Up (as recorded by Josh Groban): SSA Choral Octavo

Teena Chinn's SSA arrangement captures the soaring, cinematic quality that made Josh Groban's version iconic while remaining genuinely singable for developing treble choirs. The optional orchestration opens doors for flexible performance contexts, from intimate concerts to fuller productions, without requiring every accompaniment element to succeed.

A song of encouragement and hope. The melody unfolds with warmth and generosity, supported by rich harmonic colors that evoke both contemporary pop production and timeless choral tradition. There's an accessible immediacy to it that doesn't diminish its emotional depth.

Directors seeking an uplifting, emotionally direct piece for treble choirs at the intermediate level. This arrangement works equally well for middle school choirs ready to tackle more sophisticated harmonic language, high school treble ensembles, and adult amateur choirs who want contemporary material with genuine musical substance.

• Establish the legato line early in rehearsals by singing entire phrases without breath breaks where possible; this piece thrives on sustained vocal storytelling rather than careful note placement.
• Balance the vocal soloists or featured section parts against the harmonic support so individual voices can shine without drowning the ensemble sound.
• If using the recorded accompaniment, rehearse with it from your first read-through so the choir internalizes the tempo and harmonic motion before adding expression.
• Shape dynamics gradually across phrases instead of making sudden shifts; the arrangement benefits from a sweep of sound that builds and recedes organically.

Program this at graduation ceremonies or spring concerts celebrating themes of growth and resilience. It pairs naturally with other contemporary sacred or inspirational pieces, and the optional instrumentation allows you to scale up the arrangement for larger venues or dress it down for more intimate settings. The piece also works beautifully as part of a concert theme exploring peace, brotherhood, or personal empowerment.

• Sustained legit singing across longer phrases
• Blend and balance within three-part harmonic texture
• Interpretation of contemporary pop-influenced phrasing in choral context
• Dynamic shaping and emotional expression
• Flexibility with optional solo sections and ensemble variations