Boys And Girls Like You And Me: SSA Choral Octavo

Kevin Robison's arrangement captures the straightforward warmth of Hammerstein's lyric without overthinking it. SSA voicing opens this standard to younger ensembles and developing singers while maintaining the melody's essential character, making it an excellent choice for concert programming that bridges Broadway repertoire and vocal technique.

Nostalgic and direct. The piece has an unselfconscious charm that feels timeless rather than campy. There's an openness to the writing that invites singers to be genuine rather than theatrical.

SSA or SSAA choirs seeking accessible Broadway material that works for middle school through community ensembles. Directors building a set list that includes vintage standards without requiring extensive vocal maturity or range.

• Let the text drive the phrasing rather than fighting against natural speech patterns. The lyric is conversational, and your singers should sound like they're speaking before they're singing.
• Balance the sopranos carefully on the melody line. This arrangement asks them to carry the tune, so ensure they have the support of confident altos and a steady harmonic foundation underneath.
• Attend to vowel consistency across sections, particularly on sustained notes. Blend will make the difference between a pleasant arrangement and one that feels cohesive.

Program this as a lighter moment in a concert built around American songbook selections, or pair it with other Hammerstein standards to create a thematic set. It also works well as a morale builder during rehearsals when you need something singers enjoy without significant technical demands.

• Phrasing shaped by lyrical content rather than harmonic changes
• Blended upper voices in SSA textures
• Historical context of mid-century American musical theater
• Legit singing posture and vowel purity across Broadway repertoire