But the World Goes 'Round: SSA Choral Octavo

Mark Hayes brings authentic jazz vocabulary and Broadway savvy to this arrangement without overcomplicating it for SSA choirs. The energy is infectious and genuine, built on a solid rhythmic foundation rather than gimmicks, and the spotlight chorus allows your singers to shine on a song that has real cultural weight. Programming this alongside other jazz or contemporary pop selections signals that your choir engages with the full spectrum of American musical theater.

The song pulses with the glamour and slight world-weariness of classic Broadway; it's optimistic without being naive. Mark's arrangement captures that theatrical energy in a compact, accessible package that feels both polished and human, with moments of genuine warmth breaking through the showbiz sheen.

This octavo works for choirs at intermediate level and above who have experience with jazz harmony and a comfortable swing feel. It suits groups looking to add contemporary Broadway material to their repertoire and singers ready to tackle show-style phrasing and the rhythmic precision jazz arrangements demand.

• Anchor the swing feel in the rhythm section (piano and bass, if available). The groove should be relaxed and grounded, not rushed or stilted; think of it as a gentle shuffle rather than a hard drive.
• Balance the parts during the verse sections so the melody line cuts through without the harmony obscuring it. SSA voicing can blur if all three parts are singing with equal weight.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock in the tempo and phrasing early in rehearsal, then gradually move away from it as the choir gains confidence with the rhythm and the bluesy harmonies.
• Shape the spotlight chorus with genuine emotion rather than oversinging. The lyrics invite vulnerability; let the choir find the sincerity underneath the razzmatazz.

This is an excellent opener or closer for a concert celebrating American musical theater or a program built around jazz and contemporary pop styles. It also works beautifully in a medley of Kander and Ebb songs or as a contrast to art song or classical choral work, giving audiences a moment of recognition and joy.

• Swing rhythm and jazz phrasing
• Reading and singing jazz harmonies and chromatic voice leading
• Balancing texture in SSA voicing while maintaining harmonic clarity
• Theater-style microphone technique and spotlight performance presence