Friendship: SSA Choral Octavo

Sally K. Albrecht's arrangement captures Porter's playful spirit while keeping the piece accessible for treble choirs. The optional solos and descant create natural opportunities for feature singers without fragmenting the ensemble sound, and the inclusion of free online clarinet parts adds instrumental color without requiring additional purchases.

Breezy and sophisticated, with an undercurrent of humor that keeps the piece from ever feeling overly sentimental. The melody sits comfortably in a singable range, and Porter's lyrics land with just enough sass to make singers smile while they're performing.

SSA choirs seeking contemporary-sounding material that doesn't sacrifice wit or musicality. This works equally well for middle school ensembles ready for three-part texture and high school programs looking for a smart, entertaining concert piece that audiences genuinely enjoy.

• Lean into the comedic timing of Porter's lyrics, especially the punchline about 'ours will still be hot.' The song needs a slight wink to land properly.
• Balance the three optional solos so they feel like shared moments rather than interruptions; consider rotating singers across performances to build confidence in your section.
• If using the clarinet parts, place them slightly forward in the mix during the descant section to highlight the textural change without overwhelming the voices.

Program this alongside other Porter standards or American songbook selections for a pop or musical theatre concert. The movement and staging options (featured on the Danza! DVD) make it ideal for a spring show or a lighter program slot where you want to shift the emotional tone without losing musical substance.

• Singing in three-part SSA texture with independent lines
• Interpreting lyrical comedy and using articulation to enhance comedic timing
• Balancing ensemble and solo material within a single piece
• Blending with optional instrumental parts (clarinet)