Fall Choir Season: 16 Choral Selections to Make Your Concert One to Remember

While we don't want to wish the summer away, fall is just around the corner which means choirs around the world will be preparing their fall programs. Following the popularity of our Spring Choir Season blog (featuring the Grammy-winning "Shallow" from A Star Is Born and music from The Greatest Showman and Bohemian Rhapsody) we've put together 16 of the hottest new and noteworthy choral arrangements to make your fall performance really stand out.

If you're the really organized type, you can even get a jump-start on your Christmas program by browsing our extensive selection of festive choral numbers. Stay tuned for our list of recommended Christmas titles.

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Yesterday

The Beatles (arr. Bob Chilcott, adapted: Jacob Narverud)

SATB | SSA

One of the big movies of this summer, Yesterday, depicts a world where The Beatles never existed. It's hard to imagine such a thing, especially as you hear hit after hit from their masterful catalog throughout the movie. Title-song "Yesterday" has never sounded as emotive as it does in this beautiful Bob Chilcott arrangement, adapted by Jacob Narverud for SATB & SSA choirs.

The Music of Elton John (A Medley of His Greatest Hits)

Elton John (arr. Ed Lojeski)

SATB | SAB | 2-Part

Currently halfway through his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, music legend Elton John is also the subject of the hit musical biopic Rocketman which features many of his biggest hits from the 50 years since the release of his debut album Empty Sky. Ed Lojeski's choral medley features five of the biggest songs from the movie, namely "Crocodile Rock," "Honky Cat," "Your Song," "Rocket Man," and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me," and concludes with his 1992 hit "The One."

Speechless (from Aladdin)

Naomi Scott (arr. Jacob Narverud)

SATB | SAB | SSA

May saw the release of Disney’s live action remake of their 1992 classic, Aladdin. In addition to new versions of songs from the original such as "A Whole New World" and "Friend Like Me" (which Will Smith really makes his own), the new release boasts one original song that has stood out from the rest, in the shape of infectious ballad "Speechless." Written by Disney stalwart Alan Menken with lyrical assistance from Pasek & Paul, the song is already establishing itself as a modern-day Disney classic. Jacob Narverud’s choral arrangement might just be the power ballad your program is in need of.

You've Got a Friend in Me (from Toy Story)

Randy Newman (arr. Mac Huff)

SATB | 3-Part Mixed | 2-Part

Another notable 2019 movie release came in the shape of Toy Story 4 last month. The hugely successful media franchise began in 1995 with the release of the original Toy Story movie. And who can forget the Randy Newman-penned theme song "You've Got A Friend in Me," which crops up in the opening sequence for the new film too. Mac Huff's arrangement is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser!

The Lion King (Medley)

Elton John (arr. Mark Brymer)

SATB | SAB | 2-Part

If 2019 wasn't notable enough already for Elton John, the much-anticipated Lion King remake recently hit the big screen, 25 years on from the original animated movie. Mark Brymer's glorious medley features all of the big hits from the original movie including the timeless "Circle of Life," "Hakuna Matata," "I Just Can't Wait to Be King," "Be Prepared," and (of course) "Can You Feel the Love Tonight."

Let It Go (from Frozen)

Pentatonix (arr. Roger Emerson)

SATB | SAB | SSA

In other movie news, the long-awaited sequel to Frozen hits the big screen in November, and there's every reason to believe it will be another box-office smash for Disney. Even those who have managed to avoid seeing the original movie will surely be more than familiar with Elsa's power-ballad "Let It Go." This Roger Emerson arrangement, based on the Pentatonix version of the song, is best-performed a cappella.

...Baby One More Time

Britney Spears (arr. Mark Brymer)

SATB | SAB | SSA | Instrumental Pak

20 years on from the release of Britney Spears' debut album of the same name (yes, it really has been that long), who can forget the decade-defining hit "...Baby One More Time"? Give your audience something they can really sing-along to with this blockbuster Mark Brymer arrangement. School uniform and pigtails optional.

Break Free (feat. Zedd)

Ariana Grande (arr. Mark Brymer)

SATB | 2-Part

In the 5 years since the release of her second studio album My Everything, Ariana Grande has gone on to become one of the biggest names in pop music. Over the past 15 months, she's released smash hit after smash hit and won her first Grammy award to boot. "Break Free," featuring Russian-German music producer Zedd, remains one of her biggest hits – and makes a fun pop addition to any choral program.

The Sound of Silence

Simon & Garfunkel (arr. Roger Emerson)

3-Part Mixed | 2-Part

One of Simon & Garfunkel's biggest hits – and their first song to hit the number one spot – "The Sound of Silence" was added to the US National Recording Registry in 2012 for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically important." The song has been featured in several movies, commercials and even a recent Internet meme. It's also been covered by popular artists such as Disturbed and Pentatonix earlier this year. Suffice to say, if you're looking for a melancholic number to include in your program, this would be a fine choice.

True Colors

Cyndi Lauper (arr. Matthew Brown)

SATB | TTBB

Similar to "The Sound of Silence" mentioned above, Cyndi Lauper's classic "True Colors" is no stranger to being featured in commercials and movies. Both songs happen to appear on the Trolls soundtrack. The message in the song about seeing beauty under the surface is an ever-powerful one, which makes this an emotive number for inclusion in your choral concert.

Proud Mary

Ike & Tina Turner (arr. Kirby Shaw)

SATB | SAB | SSA | Instrumental Pak

It may be hard to believe, but the original version of this song, by Creedence Clearwater Revival, was released in 1969. That's right...50 years ago! Later that same year, Solomon Burke released his own version of the song. But the one that has really stood the test of time is that of Ike & Tina Turner. Kirby Shaw's arrangement really captures the energy of this soulful classic, and it would make a great closing number for your choral concert.

Oklahoma! (Medley)

Rodgers & Hammerstein (arr. John Leavitt)

SATB | SAB | 2-Part | Instrumental Pak

Heading over to big lights of Broadway, last month saw the 73rd Annual Tony Awards ceremony where one of the notable winners from the night was Oklahoma! which won the award for Best Revival of a Musical. The original 1943 production was actually the first musical written by the renowned duo of Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II, not that you'd know it from barnstorming songs such as "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'," "I Cain't Say No" and, of course, "Oklahoma" – all of which feature in this excellent John Leavitt medley.

Somewhere (from West Side Story)

Leonard Bernstein (arr. Mac Huff)

SATB | SAB | 2-Part

Leonard Bernstein at 100 – the two-year global celebration of the acclaimed conductor and composer – will be drawing to a close at the end of August, so what better time to revisit his incredible works? His most famous musical West Side Story will be the subject of a new film remake next year. "Somewhere" is an all-time classic musical number, and Mac Huff's choral arrangement absolutely does it justice.

A Harvest of Thanksgiving

Roger Thornhill & Stacey Nordmeyer

SATB | Instrumental Pak

If your fall choral concert happens to be taking place around Thanksgiving, you may be looking for a suitable festive number to insert into your program. In fact, irrespective of the time of year, this Christian title portrays a message of thanks that's appropriate all year round. Music by Stacey Nordmeyer and words by Roger Thornhill.

Goodnight Moon

Eric Whitacre

SATB

Highly-regarded choral composer and conductor, Eric Whitacre, has produced some truly stunning choral works including "The Seal Lullaby," "This Marriage" and "Glow" which featured in our Spring Choir Season blog. Set to the text of the beloved children's book of the same name, "Goodnight Moon" features the kind of lush harmonies that Whitacre is famous for and is a truly beautiful setting of Margaret Wise Brown's text.

Ave Maria

Bach/Gounod (arr. David Angerman)

S(S)A

This Bach/Gounod setting of "Ave Maria" is one of the most instantly recognizable classical works of all-time. Gounod composed the soprano melody over J.S. Bach's Prelude No. 1 in C major, BWV 846. The setting has been a popular choice at weddings and other ceremonies for decades. This female-voice version by David Angerman stays very true to the original, with some simple alto harmonies under the iconic soprano melody to add a little texture.

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