Haven't Met You Yet (arr. Jo Annemans): TTTBarBarB Choral Octavo

Jo Annemans has crafted this arrangement for an unusual and exciting voicing that requires genuine musical listening rather than just part-singing. The TTTBarBarB configuration demands rhythmic cohesion and blend across unfamiliar voice combinations, which produces focused rehearsals and tangible growth in ensemble musicianship. Contemporary pop material in a jazz idiom engages singers who might not otherwise show interest in traditional choral repertoire.

Bublé's tune carries an optimistic, swinging quality that feels conversational and intimate even in an ensemble context. This arrangement preserves that charm while adding sophistication through its voice layering and harmonic color, creating something that feels both grounded and textured.

This arrangement works best for intermediate to advanced choirs comfortable with jazz harmony and rhythmic flexibility. Ensembles already experienced with pop or contemporary music will find this voicing a welcome challenge that deepens their listening and blend skills. Directors seeking material that energizes singers and audiences alike will appreciate how a familiar song becomes fresh through thoughtful reharmonization.

• Record a rough mix of all six parts during rehearsal to help singers locate themselves within the harmonic landscape and hear how their line relates to the arrangement's architecture.
• Lock the rhythm section (bass and one baritone part) first, using body percussion or conducting gestures to establish the groove before layering melody and inner voices.
• Shape dynamics across the ensemble rather than within individual parts; this arrangement rewards conversations between voice groups where one section answers or echoes another.
• Approach the text with conversational phrasing despite it being a choral piece. Imagine each voice group as a character in dialogue rather than a traditional choir section.

Pair this with other contemporary pop arrangements to anchor a modern music concert, or program it as an energizing closer that leaves audiences in a buoyant mood. It works equally well in a concert mixing jazz standards with current pop interpretations, showcasing your choir's versatility and appeal beyond traditional classical repertoire.

• Reading and sustaining parts within jazz harmony
• Ensemble blend across non-traditional voice distributions
• Rhythmic precision in contemporary grooves and syncopation
• Stylistic interpretation of pop and jazz idioms
• Listening and responding to multiple independent lines simultaneously