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Cry Me a River: SATB Choral Octavo

$2.10 USD
$2.10 USD
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Cry Me a River Cover Image
Cry Me a River: SATB Choral Octavo

Cry Me a River: SATB Choral Octavo

Words and music by Arthur Hamilton / arr. Jay Althouse

Item: 00-41821
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Description
This popular torch song was originally composed for Ella Fitzgerald, but ended up being dropped from the film Pete Kelly's Blues. She would eventually record it six years later, but in the meantime, a recording by Julie London introduced it to the world. Jay's sweet harmonies make for a bluesy arrangement.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Cry Me a River: SATB Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
UPC: 038081469010
SKU: 00-41821

More about this title

About the Composer: Arthur Hamilton

Arthur Hamilton composed some of the most enduring standards of the American songbook during the 1950s and 1960s. His gift for melody and emotional directness shaped popular music across multiple genres, from jazz to film.

Why we love this

Jay Althouse's arrangement captures the smoky, intimate quality of this classic without overwhelming the text. The voicing sits beautifully for mixed choirs while preserving the bluesy harmonic language that makes this song timeless. It's a sophisticated choice that challenges singers musically without requiring advanced ranges.

What to expect

Longing and resilience intertwine throughout this piece. There's a bittersweet quality to the harmony, with bluesy chord movements that feel authentic rather than imitative, and the arrangement honors both the jazz roots and the storytelling heart of the original.

Who it's for

This octavo works well for high school and college choirs seeking repertoire that sounds sophisticated without excessive technical difficulty. Singers enjoy the contemporary feel and emotional authenticity of the blues idiom, and audiences consistently respond to this familiar, emotionally resonant standard.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the opening phrase with restraint. The torch song style demands space and vulnerability rather than projection; let the lyrics breathe before building intensity in the refrain.
  • Balance the soprano and alto lines carefully during harmony sections. The bluesy chords can muddy if inner voices overshadow the melody.
  • Work the rhythmic flexibility in accompaniment cues. Torch songs live in the space between strict time and rubato; singers who listen actively will find natural phrasing together.
  • Emphasize the lower voices in bridge passages where they carry harmonic color. These moments define the arrangement's bluesy character.

How to use it

Program this alongside other American standards to create a concert segment on classic songwriting, or pair it with contemporary pop arrangements to bridge traditional and modern choral styles. The 12-page length makes it suitable for concert variety without demanding excessive rehearsal time relative to its impact.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing jazz chords and non-traditional harmonic progressions
  • Phrasing in the torch song style with rhythmic flexibility
  • Balancing inner harmony voices in blues-influenced textures
  • Interpreting lyrics with emotional authenticity and restraint

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