Favorites from "The Rat Pack" (arr. Ryan O'Connell): SATB Choral Octavo

Ryan O'Connell's arrangements capture the sophisticated swing and impeccable ensemble interplay that defined the Rat Pack's sound without requiring your singers to have that kind of legendary chemistry right away. These octavos give your choir access to genuinely adult repertoire with harmonic richness and rhythmic nuance that makes singers feel like they're part of something genuinely cool.

Suave, confident, and genuinely fun. These arrangements shimmer with the kind of polished elegance and understated cool that made the Rat Pack legendary. Your singers will feel like they're inhabiting a world of sophisticated nightclub glamour and smooth vocal interplay.

Choirs with confident singers who understand jazz phrasing and want to perform repertoire with genuine artistic weight. This collection works equally well for high school show choirs, college jazz ensembles, and adult community choirs seeking sophisticated secular repertoire that audiences adore.

• Emphasize the conversational quality of the phrases. Rat Pack vocals were always narrative and relaxed, never stiff or overly formal, so encourage your singers to treat the lyrics as storytelling rather than text to be delivered.
• Layer in swing feel gradually during rehearsals. Start with straight rhythms to lock the harmony, then introduce the swing interpretation once the ensemble is secure, allowing singers to focus on both aspects independently.
• Pay close attention to dynamic subtlety in the arrangements. O'Connell's writing uses contrast between sections to create sophistication, so resist the urge to sing everything at full volume.
• Record run-throughs regularly so your singers can hear how the lines weave together. Hearing the recorded accompaniment alongside their own parts helps singers locate themselves in the harmonic texture and adjust their blend accordingly.

These selections fit perfectly into a pops or jazz concert where you want to celebrate American vocal standards without sacrificing musical substance. They also work beautifully as a contrasting set in mixed concerts, offering a stylistic shift that engages audiences and gives your ensemble a chance to explore repertoire beyond traditional classical choral writing.

• Swing rhythm interpretation and feel
• Jazz phrasing and lyrical storytelling
• Blend and intonation in jazz harmony
• Rhythmic precision in syncopated passages
• Interpretation of dynamic nuance and contrast