Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive (arr. Joy Hirokawa): 2-Part Choral Octavo

Joy Hirokawa's 2-part arrangement strips away nothing essential from Arlen's irresistible melody while making it genuinely achievable for developing singers. The straightforward voicing lets you focus on the song's rhythmic vitality and that unmistakable optimistic swagger without wrestling with complex harmony.

The arrangement captures the snap and brightness of the original, with that vintage swing feel that makes audiences smile the moment the opening lines land. It's the musical equivalent of good advice delivered with a wink.

Younger or newer choirs benefit from the accessibility of two parts without sacrificing the charm of a genuine jazz-age standard. Community, school, and youth ensembles will find this both singable and genuinely rewarding to perform.

• Keep the tempo moving with real energy; this tune stalls when it drags, and the message of the lyric demands a forward pulse.
• Shape the phrases conversationally rather than sustained; Arlen wrote these lines for clarity and personality, not for dramatic vocal weight.
• Balance your parts carefully in the lower voice so the tune remains the clear focus even when harmonies enter.

This works beautifully as a palate cleanser in a concert, offering contrast to heavier classical or contemporary work. Pair it with other standards or lighter American repertoire to build a program with real variety and audience engagement.

• Singing with rhythmic precision in syncopated passages
• Balancing two independent vocal lines
• Interpreting jazz-influenced phrasing and articulation
• Sustaining a conversational tone while singing in ensemble
• Reading and performing major key harmonic structures in 2-part texture