And All That Jazz: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures the glamorous swagger of the original while making it entirely singable for student choirs. The chart respects the source material's Broadway sophistication without sacrificing accessibility, and the included SoundTrax CD lets singers lock into authentic rhythmic feels that might otherwise require extensive rehearsal time to develop. Programming this means your choir gets to own a genuine musical theater standard, not a diluted version.

Sophisticated and fun, with the glamorous snap of a 1920s speakeasy filtered through a contemporary Broadway lens. The energy is sleek and controlled, full of attitude but never frantic, and the music begs for intentional stage presence and clear diction to land every syllable.

This octavo works for intermediate to advanced high school choirs and adult community choirs with some jazz experience or willingness to learn it. Younger or beginning ensembles can tackle it with extra rehearsal time devoted to rhythm and groove, but the arrangement assumes singers can handle jazz phrasing and can track a recorded accompaniment without losing their place.

• Balance the opening piano chords against the entrance of the choir. The recorded accompaniment establishes the 'restrained strut' feel, so resist the urge to oversing early; let the groove establish itself before voices swell.
• Subdivide the jazz rhythms internally, especially any syncopation or swing feels in the vocal line. Even if you're not counting eighth-note triplets aloud, thinking about where the swing sits prevents the phrasing from sounding stiff or rushed.
• Shape the text naturally while maintaining rhythmic precision. Jazz phrasing often sits slightly behind or ahead of the beat; Fosse staging pairs best with singers who understand jazz delivery and can sit in that pocket.
• Use the instrumental parts if available to add texture and reinforce the groove. A rhythm section playing live with the choir (or with the SoundTrax) adds energy and helps singers stay locked into the jazz feel.

This is a natural fit for a concert that celebrates American musical theater or jazz standards. It pairs well with other contemporary pop or theater arrangements and works as a showstopper in the second half when audiences are warmed up and ready for something with theatrical flair. Consider programming it near the end of a set to leave the audience with the infectious energy it generates.

• Jazz rhythm and swing phrasing
• Syncopation and rhythmic independence from the accompaniment
• Musical theater diction and style
• Singing with recorded accompaniments
• Ensemble blend in a non-classical idiom
• Interpretation and performance attitude