Feeling Good: SSA Choral Octavo

This arrangement captures the transformative power of Simone's composition while giving SSA ensembles access to a song that belongs in the repertoire. The simple elegance of the vocal writing lets the message and the melody do the work, and the piece carries enough musical sophistication to challenge singers while remaining accessible to intermediate choirs.

Optimistic and affirming, yet layered with quiet strength. The piece moves with the ease of a confident assertion, and despite its brevity, it settles into the listener's mind as something whole and true.

This arrangement works for intermediate to advanced SSA choirs seeking jazz repertoire that combines melodic beauty with emotional authenticity. It's equally valuable for directors building programs that honor Black artists and the American songbook tradition.

• Shape the melody with Simone's characteristic phrasing in mind: she rarely sang straight metrically, so encourage singers to find the lyrical intention within the notation rather than mechanically hitting every beat.
• Balance the three parts so the top line sings through without forcing; this piece relies on clarity and warmth rather than volume.
• Attend to the harmonic language. These chords have real color, and letting them resonate fully (without sacrificing diction) brings out the song's emotional arc.
• Let the text breathe. The lyrics are declarative and powerful; resist over-gesturing and trust that honest singing serves the message.

Place this as a centerpiece of a jazz or American composers concert, or pair it with spirituals and contemporary repertoire that shares similar emotional grounding. It also serves as an excellent encore: short enough to fit flexibly, memorable enough to leave a lasting impression.

• Interpreting jazz phrasing and rhythmic flexibility within notated music
• Balancing SSA harmony to support the melodic line
• Singing with intention and conviction in lyrics-driven music
• Understanding harmonic color and resonance in jazz harmony