You're the One That I Want: SAB Choral Octavo

Jeff Funk's SAB arrangement captures the infectious energy and character interplay of the original without requiring a huge ensemble or advanced vocal technique. This is the kind of pop standard that resonates across generations, giving middle-level choirs immediate access to a song that students actually know and care about.

Upbeat, playful, and groove-oriented. The song bounces along with a confident pop-rock energy that feels immediate and modern, even though its roots are in 1978 cinema. There's a lightness and joy to it that comes through whether you're singing the melody or supporting harmony.

Choirs at the middle school through community level who want a contemporary pop arrangement that's accessible and fun without being juvenile. The moderate difficulty level means singers with basic music-reading skills can succeed, while still offering enough musical texture to keep rehearsals engaging.

• Lock the rhythmic energy with your rhythm section and recorded accompaniment; the groove is what sells this song, so nail the pocket before polishing the harmony.
• Play with the attitude in the text and staging. The song's original context gives you permission to be theatrical and fun, so encourage your singers to lean into character and personality.
• Balance the altos and basses carefully in the lower harmony parts. They carry the foundation of the groove and need clarity even when the sopranos are front and center.
• Record a rehearsal run-through and listen back as an ensemble. Hearing how the blend sits in a recorded mix often reveals balance issues that don't surface in the room.

This works beautifully as a standalone pop selection on a concert that mixes genres, or pair it with other arrangements from the Alfred Pop Choral Series for a contemporary-focused set. It's also ideal for spring concerts, pops nights, or any program designed to showcase what your singers find exciting and relevant.

• Reading SAB three-part voicing and independent melodic lines
• Sustaining rhythmic precision in a groove-based arrangement
• Blending across vocal parts in a pop idiom
• Interpreting text with character and personality
• Following an accompaniment track and staying locked with rhythm section