Old Stopfordian Sam Gilliatt (OS 2014) releases new arrangement of ‘Grow As We Go’

Fans of the hit musical Dear Evan Hansen will most likely be familiar with the name Ben Platt who famously played the title role in the original production and features on the original Broadway cast recording. This particular song comes from his 2019 solo album ‘Sing To Me Instead’ and beautifully and simply describes the changes of growing up and the importance of keeping our loved ones close through it all.

Sam told us:

I have arranged this song for four unaccompanied lower voices (2 tenors, baritone and bass). It was a challenge finding harmonic voicings and textures that worked well within a limited vocal range in comparison to if it had been written for a mixed voice choir of soprano, alto, tenor and bass.

Sam was prominent in the musical life of Stockport Grammar School. He played Jesus in Godspell and was in many choirs, bands and orchestras. Having graduated from University of York in 2018 with a first-class Bachelor’s degree in Music, he is now working as a freelance singer and choral conductor based in Manchester.

Sam has performed and recorded alongside the professional vocal ensemble I Fagiolini and taken part in the vocal training programmes Genesis Sixteen and the National Youth Choir of Great Britain Fellowship Octet.

In addition to directing various choirs in and around Manchester, he is part of the team of Musical Directors working with Barnsley Youth Choir and one of the Hallé’s pool of conductors for their corporate choirs.