Come Rain or Come Shine: SSA Choral Octavo

Jay Althouse's treatment respects the song's inherent sophistication while making it genuinely singable for SSA ensembles. The arrangement sustains the sultry, intimate character of the original without oversimplifying the harmonic language, so singers engage with real musical substance rather than a diluted approximation.

The piece carries the warmth and world-weary wisdom of a classic ballad. There's romantic assurance in the melody, sophisticated harmonies underneath, and an invitation to sing with maturity and intimate connection rather than dramatic display.

Concert choirs seeking repertoire that combines accessible voicing with sophisticated musical content will find this invaluable. It also serves show choirs and jazz ensembles looking for a piece that trades novelty for genuine Great American Songbook credentials.

• Shape the opening phrases with conversational phrasing rather than strict block singing; the text matters as much as the notes, and Mercer's lyrics deserve clarity and expression.
• Balance the ensemble texture carefully in the full sections. The piano part is substantial and can easily cover singers if they approach it passively rather than with projection and presence.
• Let the final build truly escalate. The arrangement's climax only lands when each section enters with commitment and the whole group coordinates the dynamic arc from intimate to full.
• Work the jazz vocabulary into your interpretation. Even at the choral level, swing the eighth notes lightly and allow the phrasing to breathe with the kind of ease you'd hear in a jazz vocal recording.

Place this as a concert highlight rather than a filler number. Its quality and distinctive voice make it memorable on a program mixing show tunes, spirituals, and art songs, or program it alongside other Mercer-Arlen standards to show the songwriting team's range.

• Singing with jazz phrasing and vocabulary (swing eighths, rubato)
• Balancing legit choral tone with popular song styling
• Interpreting lyrics with dramatic intention and character
• Reading and responding to complex harmonic progressions
• Ensemble balance in arrangements with substantial piano accompaniment