Button Up Your Overcoat: 2-Part Choral Octavo

$2.25 USD

Button Up Your Overcoat: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Name: Button Up Your Overcoat: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-33114
Price: 2.25 USD
Availability: InStock

Words and music by B. G. DeSylva, Lew Brown, and Ray Henderson / arr. Steve Zegree

Item: 00-33114

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Your developing 2-part choirs will learn about swing and enjoy a bit of scat in this wonderful arrangement of the cute and catchy song from the 1920s.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Button Up Your Overcoat: 2-Part Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 12

UPC: 038081360225

SKU: 00-33114

More about this title

About the Composer: B. G. DeSylva

B. G. DeSylva (Buddy DeSylva) stands among the most prolific songwriting voices of the American songbook's golden age. Active from the 1920s through the 1950s, he composed or co-composed dozens of standards that defined the era, collaborating with composers like Lew Brown and Ray Henderson to create music that balanced sophistication with immediate melodic appeal. His gift for writing songs that were simultaneously clever and universally singable made his work a staple of both Broadway and popular music.

For music educators, DeSylva's catalog offers accessible entry points into jazz-age popular song. The melodies are memorable enough to stick with singers after a single rehearsal, yet the harmonic language introduces students to the sounds of early swing and syncopation in a natural, unforced way.

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Why we love this

Steve Zegree's arrangement captures the spirit of 1920s swing without overwhelming young singers. The scat passages are written out and manageable for developing voices, turning what might feel intimidating into an infectious, fun-to-learn element. This is the kind of piece that makes students want to come to rehearsal.

What to expect

Bright, playful, and unmistakably of its era. The scat elements give the piece a spontaneous, conversational quality, while the 1920s melody and lyrical content keep it grounded in a specific historical moment. Singers will feel the energy of swing without the complexity of bebop.

Who it's for

This arrangement suits developing 2-part choirs ready to explore popular music beyond their usual repertoire. It works equally well for middle school ensembles discovering jazz roots and high school groups looking for lighter, engaging concert material. The piece rewards rehearsal time without demanding the vocal range or harmonic sophistication of more advanced literature.

How to get the most out of it

Establish the swing feel early in rehearsals by listening to era-appropriate recordings together. Even 30 seconds of authentic 1920s swing helps singers grasp the rhythmic lilt they'll need.
Treat the scat sections as rhythm work first, melody second. Have students speak the syllables in rhythm before adding pitch, which builds confidence and precision.
Balance the two parts carefully in sections where they move independently. The harmonic foundation matters as much as the melody line, especially in keeping the swing groove steady.
Use the recorded accompaniment in early run-throughs to let singers focus on their own line and style choices without worrying about keeping time.

How to use it

Program this as a concert centerpiece that showcases your choir's personality and versatility. It pairs naturally with other jazz-age standards or popular repertoire, and it works especially well on programs featuring American song or nostalgia-themed concerts. The piece is short enough to leave room for deeper material while providing the entertainment value audiences remember long after the final note.