Come Fly With Me (arr. Kirby Shaw): SSA Choral Octavo

Kirby Shaw's SSA voicing opens this classic to treble ensembles while preserving the swagger and harmonic sophistication that made the original unforgettable. The arrangement respects the song's built-in melodic charm while giving each section distinctive material, creating parts that feel genuinely singable rather than accompanying.

A musical invitation issued with quiet confidence. The arrangement buoys singers on a bed of luminous harmony, creating an atmosphere that's both relaxed and sophisticated, where clarity and lift matter more than volume.

SSA choirs seeking accessible yet musically substantial repertoire that engages audiences immediately. This works equally well for groups building jazz literacy or those looking to program something that feels contemporary in spirit while grounded in American song tradition.

• Balance the melody against the harmonic accompaniment by having your sopranos lead without oversinging; this isn't a belted number but a conversational, confident groove.
• Establish a clear rhythmic pocket early in rehearsal since the jazz-inflected phrasing can drift if the ensemble isn't locking into the underlying pulse together.
• Shape the phrases using Sinatra's own interpretive model: lean into the text naturally, allow slight space after punctuation, and resist the urge to make every phrase climactic.

Position this as a closing number on a concert celebrating American standards, or pair it with other Sinatra-era repertoire to build a thematic evening. Its nine pages and moderate difficulty make it suitable mid-year when ensembles have developed blend and rhythmic security.

• Jazz phrasing and swing articulation
• Balancing melody against harmonic accompaniment in three parts
• Interpreting lyrics with specificity and ease
• Maintaining rhythmic precision within a relaxed groove
• Reading and performing jazz chord changes through singing