Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye: SATB Choral Octavo
Words and music by Cole Porter / arr. Jay Althouse
Item: 00-PO-0002253
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
This breathtakingly beautiful Cole Porter song is arranged in a simple fashion; the lyric and melodic simplicity stand alone. It's perfect for end of year concerts, or as a touching tribute to someone who is leaving. Classic American song, arranged in a classic choral style with two optional solos. A fantastic work to show off your choir. Easy piano accompaniment.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0002253
More about this title
About the Composer: Cole Porter
Cole Porter (1891-1964) brought sophisticated wit and elegant melody to American musical theater. His songs became standards not through simplicity but through their craftsmanship: memorable hooks paired with intelligent lyrics that could be both clever and deeply emotional. Porter's ability to write music that works equally well in a Broadway theater, a jazz club, or a concert hall made his catalog enduringly valuable for choral directors seeking repertoire that feels contemporary yet timeless.
Why we love this
Jay Althouse's arrangement respects Porter's original without overcomplicating it. The piece lets the song's architectural strength shine through, which means your singers can focus on authentic interpretation rather than navigating dense counterpoint. It works beautifully as a program closer because it lands emotionally without requiring operatic training.
What to expect
The piece carries the bittersweet weight of parting without sentimentality. Porter's melody has an almost conversational quality, like someone saying goodbye while looking directly at you. The harmonies are gentle and open, creating space for genuine emotion to land.
Who it's for
This octavo works for any SATB choir with basic musicianship skills and comfortable breath control. It's especially effective for groups looking for a meaningful closing number that doesn't require extensive vocal range or technical demands, which makes it accessible to developing choirs and rewarding for experienced ones.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the phrase line through vowel warmth rather than dynamic swells. The simplicity of the melody demands that singers connect emotionally to the text, and a generous, open sound will carry the farewell sentiment naturally.
- Balance the optional solos carefully so they feel like intimate moments within the larger choral texture, not spotlight features. This keeps the focus on the universality of the text.
- Work the piano part into sectional rehearsals early. The accompaniment is straightforward, but its harmonic movement needs clarity from day one so singers can rely on it for pitch security.
How to use it
Program this as your concert finale when you need to send the audience home moved rather than energized. It also serves beautifully as a tribute when a director, teacher, or long-time ensemble member is departing. The eight-page format means it fits comfortably into any concert without dominating the program.
Skills your students will build
- Lyrical phrasing and text interpretation in American song
- Balancing simplicity with emotional depth
- Blending sustained harmony while maintaining vocal independence
- Solo singing within a choral context