Always: SSAA Choral Octavo

Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures the timeless elegance of this standard while making it accessible to developing SSAA ensembles. The voicing sits comfortably for mixed high school or community choirs, and the familiar melody ensures audiences connect immediately. This is the kind of piece that reminds singers why they love choir: beautiful harmony, a song people actually know, and material that sounds genuinely professional in performance.

Warm, intimate, and timelessly romantic. The arrangement unfolds with elegance and restraint, letting the melody's inherent beauty carry the weight rather than piling on complexity. There's a gentleness here that invites singers to find their most honest, supported sound.

Concert choirs looking for a sophisticated standard that doesn't demand advanced vocal ranges or theatrical production. This works equally well for high school show choirs, community ensembles, and college chamber groups seeking accessible seasonal or special occasion material.

• Shape the melody with long, connected phrases rather than punctuating every bar. The song breathes naturally when singers think in four or eight bar units.
• Balance the inner voices so harmonies support but never overshadow the top line. Assign specific voice leaders in rehearsal to anchor blend.
• Allow space between phrases to let the text land and the harmonic shifts register with the audience.
• Work the text with intentionality early. The emotional arc of a love song depends on singers understanding what they're committing to emotionally, not just technically.

Pair this with other jazz age standards for a dedicated set, or slot it into a spring or holiday concert as a moment of stylistic contrast alongside contemporary repertoire. The piece's brevity and immediate appeal also make it ideal for clinic or showcase performances where you need something that lands fast.

• Legit, sustained vowel production in a popular music context
• Blending inner harmony voices in four-part texture
• Phrase shaping and rubato within a fixed harmonic framework
• Performing jazz-influenced standards with rhythmic precision and expressive freedom