From the Start: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Michele Weir's arrangement captures the essence of Laufey's original without losing the jazz credibility that makes the song compelling. The balance between ensemble moments, scat feature, and optional solos gives you real programming flexibility, whether you want a tight group number or a showcase for individual voices.

Cool and intimate. The bossa nova groove brings a laid-back sophistication, while the scat adds playfulness and energy without ever losing control. It feels like eavesdropping on a late-night jazz session that happens to have full ensemble moments.

Choirs looking to program contemporary music that doesn't sound thin or overly simplified. You need a group comfortable with jazz vocabulary and scat singing, plus soloists who can handle improvisation-adjacent material with confidence.

• Study the original recording before rehearsal begins. Laufey's phrasing and vocal production inform everything about how this arrangement should feel, especially the scat section.
• Lock the bossa nova rhythm early. The groove sits at the heart of this arrangement, so nail subdivision and swing feel before layering harmonies.
• Shape the optional solos with character. These moments should feel conversational and spontaneous, not polished or overly formal.
• Balance scat clarity with musicality. The unison feature needs rhythmic precision while maintaining the smooth, almost spoken quality of the style.

This works beautifully as a bridge between your classical and contemporary repertoire, or as the anchor for an entire pop-jazz concert set. The recorded accompaniment makes it possible to feature without instrumental support, giving you flexibility whether you're building a full ensemble concert or pairing it with smaller ensembles.

• Scat singing and rhythmic improvisation
• Bossa nova rhythm and swing feel
• Jazz harmony and voice leading
• Ensemble blend within jazz voicings
• Stylistic phrasing and vocal production in contemporary genres