Best of Friends: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Greg Gilpin's pairing of Porter's timeless "Friendship" with an original partner song creates a choral moment that feels both classic and fresh. The combination gives your choir a substantial piece with two distinct musical personalities that complement rather than compete, making it memorable for audiences while keeping rehearsal focus manageable. This is the kind of repertoire that reminds singers why they love ensemble singing.

"Friendship" glows with Porter's signature urbanity and warmth; the song celebrates connection with a wink and genuine affection. When paired with Gilpin's original, the set becomes a conversation about what friendship means, moving from Porter's witty observations into something more personal and earnest. The overall effect is uplifting and human.

This piece works for developing and mature choirs at the middle school through community level. Singers benefit from experience reading standard SATB voicing and handling popular song style, though the arrangement remains accessible enough for groups still building fluency with jazz-influenced harmonies.

• Let the recorded accompaniment establish the style and tempo clearly in early rehearsals so singers can focus on blend and precise diction rather than rhythmic independence.
• Shape the lyrics with intention; Porter's sophisticated humor lands only when singers understand the meaning and deliver lines with natural speech rhythm underneath the melody.
• Balance the two songs thoughtfully during the transition so the listener hears them as partners rather than separate pieces, using a brief pause or key relationship to frame the connection.

This pairing works beautifully as the centerpiece of a concert devoted to American song standards or as a lighter moment in a mixed concert that needs a joyful, accessible piece. The partner song structure and recorded accompaniment make it an excellent choice for a spring concert or end-of-year celebration where you want singers to shine without heavy thematic programming.

• Interpretation of popular song style and phrasing
• Singing Porter's rhythmic language and sophisticated melody
• Ensemble blend in jazz-influenced harmonic progressions
• Confident diction in comedic and lyrical contexts
• Understanding of partner song structure and text-painting across two pieces