Come Rain or Come Shine: Choral SoundPax

Jay Althouse's arrangement respects the sophistication of Arlen's original melody while making it fully accessible to choral ensembles. The inclusion of optional instrumental parts (saxophones, trumpet, trombone, rhythm section) gives you flexibility to build the sound from simple choral writing to a full jazz ensemble sound depending on your group's instrumentation and skill level. The 18-page score packs substantial musical material without becoming unwieldy, and the balance between vocal focus and instrumental texture invites singers to hear themselves as part of a larger ensemble sound.

Sultry and deeply romantic, with the kind of melodic confidence that only comes from classic songwriting. The arrangement wraps the vocal lines in warm harmonic color, building from intimate moments to a full ensemble sound that feels assured and polished. There's a restraint here that makes the emotional payoff at the climax genuine rather than overwrought.

Concert choirs ready to add a sophisticated pop or jazz piece to their repertoire, show choirs looking for material that bridges Broadway and jazz styles, and jazz vocal ensembles seeking quality Great American Songbook arrangements with full instrumental support. You'll want singers who can handle jazz phrasing and are comfortable working alongside instrumental soloists.

• Balance the lead line with supporting harmonies so the melody emerges clearly; the strength of Arlen's tune depends on its visibility within the full texture.
• Coordinate with your rhythm section early to establish the groove and feel; a secure piano part and bassist anchor everything else.
• Rehearse the optional saxophone and trumpet parts separately from the choir first, then layer them in to hear how they reshape the harmonic landscape.
• Shape the final section deliberately; the arrangement builds toward a strong finish that requires attention to dynamics and ensemble cohesion across all voices and instruments.

This pairs naturally with other Great American Songbook selections in a concert devoted to jazz standards or classic pop repertoire. It also works as a standalone feature for groups looking to demonstrate versatility alongside concert repertoire, since the optional instrumentation lets you calibrate the sound to match what precedes and follows it on your program.

• Singing with jazz phrasing and swing feel
• Balancing melody line with four-part choral harmony
• Coordinating vocal and instrumental parts in real time
• Interpreting a lyric with nuance and emotional control
• Reading chord changes and responding to harmonic rhythm