At Last: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

Jay Althouse's arrangement captures the warmth and romantic shimmer of this standard while keeping the vocal writing straightforward enough for mixed choirs at various levels. The piece works equally well as a concert closer or a feature for small ensemble, and the availability of recorded accompaniment means directors can mount a polished performance without requiring a pianist or full rhythm section.

Warm, romantic, and suffused with the golden-age charm of 1940s jazz balladry. The arrangement wraps the melody in rich, close harmonies that evoke evening lounge performances and intimate vocal groups, with enough harmonic movement to keep singers engaged throughout.

Mixed choirs seeking accessible yet musically substantial repertoire from the American songbook. The straightforward vocal writing makes it approachable for high school and community choirs, while the sophisticated harmony and jazz idiom appeal to singers who enjoy the texture and history of classic pop standards.

• Balance the melody line so it sits above the inner voices without forcing; the lush harmonies are part of what makes this arrangement sing, so let them support rather than compete.
• Shape the phrasing to follow the lyrical arc of the text. Gordon's words naturally suggest where to breathe and where to sustain tension, so honor those moments rather than dividing phrases mechanically.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock in time and feel during early rehearsals, then work toward independence so singers can respond naturally to each other rather than tracking the track.
• Pay attention to the jazz idiom in the harmony and rhythmic feel. Subtle swing and a relaxed, behind-the-beat approach in places will bring out the standard's character far more than straight classical phrasing.

This belongs on a concert that celebrates American standards and pop songwriting, either as a featured choral number or alongside other arrangements from the Alfred Pop Choral Series. It also makes an effective lighter moment in a program otherwise focused on classical or contemporary work, reminding audiences of the song's timeless appeal.

• Singing jazz idiom and swing feel in a choral context
• Blending close harmonies while maintaining individual line integrity
• Shaping legit phrasing around lyrical content rather than mechanical phrase breaks
• Interpreting standard notation with stylistic nuance appropriate to the era and genre