Happy Face Medley: Oboe

Mark Hayes's arrangement captures the infectious optimism of both songs while keeping the orchestration manageable for school and community choirs. The medley format lets you program two beloved standards in a single, high-energy moment that builds genuine audience connection without requiring extensive staging.

Pure theatrical joy. These songs radiate optimism and playfulness, inviting both singers and audiences into a moment of unguarded happiness. The medley structure gives you permission to embrace the lighter side of choral performance without apology.

This arrangement works for middle school, high school, and adult community choirs looking for accessible Broadway material that connects with audiences immediately. It's ideal for directors who want to program popular songs without sacrificing musical substance or spending rehearsal time on complex part writing.

• Balance the harmony parts so the melody remains clear; these songs live by their memorable hooks, and drowning them in accompaniment defeats the purpose.
• Lean into the rhythmic vitality of both pieces. These are tap-dancing songs at heart, even when sung without choreography; crisp articulation and steady forward motion keep the energy alive.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock in tempos and ensure smooth transitions between the two songs if you're not adding live instrumentation.
• Shape the dynamics across the medley to create a sense of buildup; the second song can go slightly bigger than the first to give the piece theatrical arc.

This works beautifully as a spring concert closer or a standalone pops program highlight. Consider pairing it with other Broadway selections to create a full Great American Songbook concert, or use it as a tonal counterpoint to more serious repertoire in a mixed program.

• Part singing across SATB voicing with clear harmonic independence
• Interpretive choices in popular song phrasing and rhythmic style
• Connecting choreography or stage movement to melodic and harmonic content
• Quick learning and retention of two distinct song structures within a single piece