As Time Goes By: TBB Choral Octavo

Russell Robinson's arrangement captures the sophisticated swing character of this jazz standard while keeping it entirely singable for mixed voices at the moderate level. The arrangement honors the song's cinema legacy without requiring elaborate staging, making it an elegant choice for concerts that celebrate American musical theater and film.

There's an unhurried elegance to this arrangement, with the kind of sophisticated harmonies that suggest a dimly lit piano bar and a moment suspended in time. The swing ballad character invites singers to find both lyrical warmth and subtle rhythmic sophistication, creating a performance that feels intimate even in a concert hall.

This octavo works beautifully for mixed choirs of all experience levels, from high school programs to community ensembles. Because it accommodates TBB, TTB, and TTBB voicings, you can use it whether your group leans treble-heavy or has strong lower voices.

• Encourage the rhythm section to listen closely to the recorded accompaniment track during rehearsals so singers can internalize the swing feel without rushing or dragging the tempo.
• Shape the famous opening line with natural speech rhythm and warmth; resist the impulse to over-phrase or underscore its familiarity.
• Balance the part-writing so that inner voices support the melody without overshadowing it, especially in passages where chords thicken.
• Work the recorded accompaniment into dress rehearsals well before performance so the ensemble can settle into the groove together.

Program this alongside other standards and movie classics to build a set that appeals to audiences who love American songbook material and cinema history. It also pairs naturally with other swing-era repertoire or as a lovely contrast to more contemporary pop arrangements.

• Singing swing rhythms (triplet feel, articulation of syncopation)
• Balancing choral blend in jazz harmonies
• Phrasing a lyrical melody with rubato and natural speech inflection
• Ensemble cohesion with recorded accompaniment
• Interpreting dynamics and color changes in a ballad structure