Crazy 'Bout Croonin' (A Medley for Men): TTBB Choral Octavo

Andy Beck captures the infectious charm of classic crooner songs and packages them in an arrangement that gives men's choirs genuine material to love performing. The medley format lets singers move through three contrasting moments without losing the stylistic thread, and the accessibility of the voicing (with flexibility across TB, TTB, TBB, and TTBB configurations) means ensembles of different sizes can perform this together. Most importantly, this is the rare men's chorus piece that lands with audiences because it celebrates a musical tradition that resonates across generations.

Smooth, suave, and unapologetically nostalgic. The crooner songs invite singers into the world of 1950s vocal sophistication where legit tone, phrasing, and ensemble blend are the currency. There's polish here, but also warmth and accessibility, the kind of singing that sounds effortless but requires real attention to diction and balance.

Men's choirs and TTBB ensembles at the high school, college, and community levels will find ready-made crowd appeal in this medley. Directors programming pops concerts, spring shows, or all-male chorus featured sets will recognize immediately that singers connect with this material because it celebrates a vocal tradition they may not otherwise encounter in rehearsal.

• Lean into the legit singing in the crooner sections; these songs demand a warm, connected tone rather than a breathy or overly contemporary sound.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock the groove and phrasing early in rehearsal, especially if your singers are unfamiliar with swing-era vocal style.
• Balance the comedic intent with musical sincerity. The 'babe magnet' appeal only works when the singing is genuinely well-crafted, not winking or oversold.
• Attend to the style shifts between songs within the medley; each crooner standard carries its own character and tempo, and clarity there keeps the piece from feeling rushed.

Open a pops or variety concert with this medley to set a fun, audience-friendly tone while immediately establishing your men's choir as musicians with genuine artistry. Pair it with other contemporary pop arrangements or contrasting classical repertoire to showcase the range of your ensemble. The material also works beautifully as a finale or encore piece when you want to send the audience home smiling.

• Legit vocal tone production and warm vowel shaping across the range
• Style recognition and performance of swing-era vocal phrasing and rhythmic interpretation
• Blend and balance in close four-part harmony
• Medley transitions and maintaining musical momentum between contrasting sections
• Diction clarity and articulation in crooner-style singing