Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me: SSA Choral Octavo

Zegree captures the swagger and charm of this Duke Ellington standard while keeping the writing singable across the SSA range. The arrangement respects the song's jazz DNA without demanding specialized vocal techniques, making it equally effective as a concert piece or a crowd-pleaser at the spring concert.

The piece has an easygoing confidence about it, full of the vintage cool that made the original a standard. Singers and listeners alike will feel the warmth of Ellington's harmonic language without the intimidation factor of more complex jazz voicings.

Choirs ranging from high school to community level will find this arrangement accessible and enjoyable. It works beautifully for singers seeking experience with jazz-inflected harmony and the interpretive flexibility that comes with standards repertoire.

• Shape the phrasing around the lyrical content rather than phrase marks; the conversational quality of the text drives the musical line forward naturally.
• Maintain relaxed articulation in the rhythmic passages to preserve the song's laid-back groove and prevent the piece from feeling rushed.
• Balance the alto line carefully, particularly when it moves into the upper range, so inner voices stay warm rather than thin.

This sits comfortably alongside other mid-20th-century standards or pop arrangements in a concert program. Its 10 pages make it substantial enough to stand on its own in a set while remaining light enough to pair with other shorter pieces or ballads.

• Reading jazz harmonies and swing rhythms
• Phrasing and interpretation of lyrical text
• Balance and blend within SSA voicing
• Articulation control in rhythmic passages