Button Up Your Overcoat: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Arr., with new words, by Sally K. Albrecht
Item: 00-PO-0007413
$2.30
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
"Brr! It's cold!" The popular standard has been revamped with new wintertime words for young singers. This swinging little charmer offers a bundle of advice on keeping warm in the winter, such as "wear your mittens" and "zip your jacket up tight." Don't miss the free ChoreoTrax video (on alfred.com) for simple riser choreography.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0007413
More about this title
About the Arranger: Sally K. Albrecht
Sally K. Albrecht has shaped choral music education for over thirty years as a composer, arranger, conductor, and clinician. Her catalog includes more than 600 choral publications and 75 stage works, and she has received the ASCAP Special Music Award annually since 1987. She conducted honor choirs at major venues including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and The Kennedy Center, and served for decades as Director of School Choral, Vocal, and Elementary Publications at Alfred Music.
Albrecht holds degrees from Rollins College (B.A. in Music and Theater, 1976), the University of Miami (M.A. in Drama, 1977; M.M. in Accompanying, 1979), and has taught at Oakland University, Jersey City State College, and Meredith College. Her particular expertise lies in choral movement and staging, which infuses her arrangements with theatrical energy. A Cleveland native, she currently resides in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and in 2021 received the Distinguished Alumna Award from both the University of Miami Frost School of Music and Rollins College.
Why we love this
Albrecht transforms a jazzy standard into a kid-friendly winter celebration without losing the swing and charm of the original. The rewritten lyrics pack practical advice into singable phrases, and her arrangement sits perfectly for young 2-part voices. The inclusion of simple choreography via ChoreoTrax makes this a complete package for directors seeking a high-energy novelty number that actually engages singers and audiences.
What to expect
Brisk and playful, like a winter morning turned into a song. The swinging rhythm and cheeky lyrics about mittens and zippers create instant warmth on stage, and the 2-part writing keeps the focus on ensemble joy rather than technical complexity. There's real musicality hiding beneath the novelty surface.
Who it's for
Young choirs in elementary and early middle school who enjoy novelty songs with movement. Directors seeking seasonal repertoire that balances fun with genuine musical content and doesn't talk down to singers. This arrangement works especially well for programs that feature choreography or need an upbeat, audience-friendly finale.
How to get the most out of it
- Emphasize the swing feel throughout; this isn't a ballad. Encourage singers to feel the offbeat bounce rather than singing it straight.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to lock in the style, especially for younger singers unfamiliar with jazz idiom.
- Work the choreography into rehearsals early so singers can embody the "playful" tone of the text and music together.
- Keep the diction crisp on words like "zip," "wear," and "button" to match the snappy rhythm and maintain clarity.
How to use it
Drop this into a winter concert as an energetic closer or a palate cleanser between longer works. It pairs well with more serious seasonal selections, offering contrast without jarring the audience. The built-in choreography also makes it ideal for all-school performances or music programs where visual engagement matters.
Skills your students will build
- Singing in swing style and feeling off-beat rhythmic patterns
- Blending two distinct vocal parts while maintaining rhythmic precision
- Coordinating singing with simple choreography and stage movement
- Clear diction in a fast-moving, rhythmically active arrangement