Killing Me Softly — SATB Choir & Piano Sheet Music

The iconic song by Charles Fox & Norman Gimbel, arranged for SATB choir and piano by Paul Lorenz — ready for rehearsal, ready for the stage

Abbey Road Studios London Symphony Orchestra Vienna State Opera 500M+ Streams Gold & Double Platinum

Every choir director knows the moment: you play the opening bars, and you watch your singers recognize it — faces opening, posture straightening, that collective intake of breath that tells you you’ve found the right piece. “Killing Me Softly” has been doing that to audiences since Roberta Flack’s Grammy-winning 1973 recording, and the Fugees’ 1996 revival confirmed what the song had always known about itself: it belongs to every generation that hears it.

This SATB choir and piano arrangement captures the emotional warmth of the original without demanding the impossible. Voice parts are singable but not simplified — the harmonic interest is intact, the melodic arc is true to Flack’s phrasing, and the piano accompaniment is written for a competent accompanist, not reduced to a MIDI outline. For experienced community choirs, university ensembles, or any group programming a crossover concert, this is the arrangement that makes the audience put down their programmes and listen.

Choose your “Killing Me Softly With His Song” edition

Choir & Piano

€19.90

A complete choral package: vocal score with piano accompaniment, individual parts for all four voices, and a performance license — everything your choir needs from first rehearsal to final bow.

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Also available for your ensemble

Prefer a different scoring? “Killing Me Softly With His Song” is also published as:

Quality in detail

  • Singable SATB Writing: Voice parts that honor the original’s melodic arc — challenging enough to be rewarding, accessible enough for Grade 3 ensembles.
  • Idiomatic Piano Accompaniment: Written by a musician, not generated from a MIDI file — supportive, expressive, enjoyable to play.
  • 600 DPI Professional Print Quality: Every note legible at any scale — on screen, on a music stand, or printed on A4.
  • Instant PDF Delivery: Download immediately after purchase — all parts available at once, no waiting, no shipping.
  • Two Iconic Versions, One Arrangement: Captures the soulful warmth of Roberta Flack’s Grammy-winning original and the rhythmic energy of the Fugees’ •1 hit.
  • Bespoke Customization Available: Need a different key, SSA voicing, or a solo cue line? Contact Paul Lorenz directly for tailored adjustments.
I’ve been directing community choirs for twenty-two years, and I’m very selective about what I bring into a rehearsal room. This arrangement of ‘Killing Me Softly’ is exactly what a choral arrangement should be: the voice parts are singable but not dumbed down, the piano part is actually enjoyable to play, and the layout makes the conductor’s job easy. We performed it at our spring concert and had three people ask us for the sheet music afterwards. Elisabeth Hofbauer, Chorleiterin, Vokalensemble Salzburg

Killing Me Softly With His Song sheet music at a glance

SongKilling Me Softly With His Song — music by Charles Fox, lyrics by Norman Gimbel; a Grammy-winning standard through Roberta Flack (1973) and the Fugees (1996)
ArrangementSATB choir with piano
ArrangerPaul Lorenz — arrangements recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road
ScoringFull vocal score with piano accompaniment, individual Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass parts, and the standalone piano accompaniment
DifficultyGrade 3 — intermediate; experienced community choirs and university ensembles
FormatHigh-resolution 600 DPI PDF — instant download, print- and tablet-ready
LicensingLicensed arrangement; performance license included; standard PRO reporting (ASCAP/BMI/PRS/GEMA)
Price€19.90

Is this edition right for you?

A crossover centrepiece that lets a choir show its warmth without over-reaching. This edition is written for:

  • Experienced community and amateur choirs programming a popular concert highlight
  • University and conservatory ensembles with solid sight-reading
  • Crossover and pops concerts that want a piece the audience recognises instantly
  • Directors who value singable-but-not-simplified voice parts

Need a transposition or a different voicing? Paul Lorenz adapts it on request — just ask before you buy.

What you receive

  • The full vocal score with piano accompaniment
  • Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass parts, individually extracted
  • The standalone piano accompaniment part
  • High-resolution PDFs, delivered instantly and yours to keep — no rental

Programming Killing Me Softly With His Song

Placed in the second half of a programme, this arrangement gives a choir a moment of collective stillness — the melody is famous enough to draw the room in on the first phrase, yet the SATB writing keeps the harmonic interest alive from verse to verse. Let the piano breathe under the voices rather than driving them, and shape the dynamic arc toward the final refrain. It sits comfortably beside other soul and pop standards, or as a warm contrast to more formal choral repertoire. Explore the related arrangements below to build the rest of the programme.

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Killing Me Softly With His Song sheet music — frequently asked questions

What exactly is included in the download?

You receive a complete choral package: the full vocal score with piano accompaniment, individual choir parts for Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass, and the standalone piano accompaniment part — all as 600 DPI PDF files optimized for screen reading and professional printing. A performance license for your choir is included.

What is the difficulty level for this choir arrangement?

Grade 3 — Intermediate. This arrangement is accessible for experienced community choirs and university ensembles with solid sight-reading ability. The voice parts are musically rewarding without being technically prohibitive, and the piano accompaniment is idiomatic for a competent accompanist.

Is a performance license included?

Yes — a performance license is included with your purchase, authorizing your choir to perform this arrangement publicly and to print as many copies as your ensemble needs. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, public performances must additionally be reported to GEMA under your standard blanket license — this is a routine process handled by most concert venues.

Can the arrangement be transposed or adapted for different voicing?

Absolutely. Paul Lorenz Music offers bespoke customization — key transpositions, SSA or TTBB adaptations, or the addition of solo cue lines are all possible. Contact us directly with your requirements, before or after purchase.

What is your refund policy?

Due to the digital nature of our products, we cannot offer refunds once the download has been accessed. We encourage you to review the score preview carefully and contact us with any questions before purchasing.