But the World Goes 'Round Cover Image

But the World Goes 'Round: SAB Choral Octavo

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But the World Goes 'Round Cover Image
But the World Goes 'Round: SAB Choral Octavo

But the World Goes 'Round: SAB Choral Octavo

Lyrics by Fred Ebb, music by John Kander / arr. Mark Hayes

Item: 00-51232

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Description
Most notably performed by Liza Minnelli, this Kander & Ebb classic returned to Broadway in the musical New York, New York. Mark's razzmatazz arrangement is a bonafide blockbuster, with showbiz sonorities, hard-hitting swing feel, and full-throttle emotions at the spotlight chorus. "Sometimes you're happy, and sometimes you're sad, but the world goes round."

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 16
UPC: 038081582696
SKU: 00-51232

More about this title

About the Composer: John Kander

John Kander is a prolific Broadway composer whose partnership with lyricist Fred Ebb produced some of musical theatre's most enduring and sophisticated scores. His work spans from the raw emotional power of Cabaret to the social commentary of Chicago, establishing him as a master of character-driven storytelling through music. Kander's compositional voice blends jazz idioms, contemporary harmonies, and theatrical sensibility, making his songs both immediately engaging and rich enough to sustain repeated study and performance.

In the choral classroom, Kander's music teaches students how to navigate complex rhythmic and harmonic language while maintaining theatrical authenticity. His melodies are singable yet compelling, his lyrics are intelligent and witty, and his arrangements reward performers who commit fully to character and ensemble blend.

Why we love this

Mark Hayes has captured every ounce of the Kander and Ebb wit and warmth in an arrangement that feels both polished and genuinely fun to sing. The swing feel and showbiz energy make this a genuine morale booster for your choir, and the SAB voicing keeps it accessible without sacrificing sophistication. This is the kind of piece that reminds singers why they joined choir in the first place.

What to expect

Confident, witty, and surprisingly moving. The opening exudes cabaret sophistication and playful detachment, then gradually builds emotional honesty beneath the sparkle. By the spotlight chorus, optimism and vulnerability live side by side, creating a piece that's genuinely uplifting without sentimentality.

Who it's for

This arrangement works beautifully for high school and college SAB choirs seeking a contemporary showstopper with real substance. It appeals equally to singers who love Broadway and those discovering jazz vocabulary through choral performance.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lock the swing feel early in rehearsal. Mark the eighth-note subdivision and emphasize the laid-back quality; this isn't straight rhythm, so pushing the tempo will drain the style.
  • Shape the spotlight chorus with dynamic contrast. The arrangement builds toward full voice here, so allow softer moments in earlier sections to create real impact at the climax.
  • Attend closely to the diction in 'razzmatazz.' Clarity and articulation will enhance the character and show the humor Kander embedded in the lyric.
  • Use recorded accompaniment strategically in early rehearsals to lock harmonies, but transition to unaccompanied or piano-only work to strengthen blend and intonation before performance.

How to use it

Pair this with other Kander and Ebb selections for a focused Broadway program, or use it as your contemporary anchor in a mixed concert alongside classical repertoire. The combination of accessibility and theatrical substance makes it ideal for a spring pops concert or year-end celebration.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing swing eighth notes and maintaining jazz articulation
  • Navigating jazz harmonies and chromatic voice leading
  • Interpreting character and emotional subtext in a theatrical song
  • Balancing blend and clarity in ensemble swing style

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