As Time Goes By: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Jay Althouse's arrangement captures the song's cinematic sophistication while making it genuinely singable for mixed choirs at various levels. The optional solos and well-balanced harmonies let you shape the arrangement to match your ensemble's strengths, and the recorded accompaniment gives your singers a polished, ensemble-friendly sound that doesn't require a full band.

This arrangement radiates the romantic nostalgia of old Hollywood, wrapping singers and listeners in warm, sophisticated harmonies. The melody carries that bittersweet quality that made the original unforgettable—part longing, part acceptance, entirely timeless.

Mixed choirs preparing for concert programs, jazz choir repertoire, and pops shows will find this arrangement accessible and effective. Directors seeking a classic that appeals to both singers and audiences will appreciate how Althouse has preserved the song's elegance while keeping it technically manageable across skill levels.

• Shape the melody with natural phrasing rather than mechanical rhythm; this song breathes. Let the singers feel the lyrical contours and push slightly into the most emotionally weighted words.
• The recorded accompaniment provides a complete harmonic foundation, so encourage singers to listen actively during rehearsals to lock in pitch and blend with the instrumental textures.
• If you feature the optional solos, select singers who can deliver warmth and vintage style without oversinging. This song thrives on understatement.
• Balance the alto sax solo (available in the SoundPax) at a level that complements the voices; it's a partner to the choir, not a spotlight moment that overshadows the text.

Pair this with other American standards or film-inspired pieces for a cohesive concert segment, or use it as the centerpiece of a vintage cinema-themed program. Its familiarity makes it a natural crowd-pleaser and an excellent closer that leaves audiences in a reflective, satisfied mood.

• Sustaining lyrical lines with natural phrase shape
• Blending with recorded accompaniment
• Balancing optional solo voices within the choir texture
• Interpreting jazz-influenced harmonic movement
• Singing with stylistic awareness of the Great American Songbook tradition