Don't Rain On My Parade (from Funny Girl) (arr. Mark Brymer): SAB Choral Octavo

Brymer knows exactly how to preserve the swagger and comedic timing of this iconic Jule Styne standard while making it accessible to three-part ensembles. The arrangement captures Fanny Brice's defiant optimism without requiring virtuosic soloists, which means your singers can focus on attitude and precision rather than survival.

Brassy, bright optimism with a wink. The energy is relentlessly positive, the attitude is unshakeable, and the whole thing demands that your singers walk onto the stage as if they own it. It's the musical equivalent of someone choosing joy despite the odds.

Any choir looking for an uplifting, character-driven number that works equally well for concert programming or musical theatre integration. This arrangement serves ensembles with mixed ability levels since Brymer's writing balances accessibility with genuine musical interest.

• Shape the opening phrases with clear, confident phrasing; this is a proclamation, not a confession. Singers should feel the character's certainty in their posture and tone.
• Balance the inner voice lines carefully so the melody remains the undisputed focal point. SAB voicings can muddy if the altos and baritones drift into prominence.
• Tap into the comic intent by keeping the tempo up and the articulation crisp. Hesitation kills the joke, so lock in a steady groove early in rehearsal.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to establish the swing feel if your singers are unfamiliar with the style. Broadway diction benefits from hearing how rhythmic flexibility sits within the beat.

Pair this with other Broadway standards for a popular music showcase, or lead a concert's second half with its infectious confidence. The piece also works beautifully as a finale number, sending audiences out with genuine lightness rather than saccharine sentiment.

• Stylistic awareness of Broadway vocal technique and phrasing conventions
• Ensemble balance in three-part SAB writing with independent inner voices
• Comic timing and intentional character work through lyrics and delivery
• Rhythmic precision in syncopated accompaniment patterns
• Coordinating solo and ensemble moments within a single arrangement