Here's to Life: Choral Instrumental Pak
As performed by Shirley Horn / Arranged by Ed Lojeski
Item: 35-PK00341872
$20.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Here's to Life - Synthesizer: Choral Instrumental Pak | $7.00 | |
| Here's to Life - Guitar: Choral Instrumental Pak | $7.00 | |
| Here's to Life - Bass: Choral Instrumental Pak | $7.00 | |
| Here's to Life - Drums: Choral Instrumental Pak | $7.00 |
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Description
Your pianist takes an equal role in this exquisite ballad that is tinged with melancholy. A superb selection for a more mature or community ensemble. "Here's to life, here's to love and here's to you."
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00341872
More about this title
About the Artist: Shirley Horn
Shirley Horn was a jazz vocalist known for her intimate, understated approach to interpretation. Her phrasing set her apart from her peers; she sang with remarkable restraint and emotional precision, letting silence and space carry as much weight as the notes themselves. Her artistry has influenced generations of singers across jazz, pop, and vocal music education.
Why we love this
Ed Lojeski's arrangement honors Horn's distinctive interpretive style by giving the piano genuine partnership with the voices rather than relegating it to accompaniment. The melancholy that runs through the text and melody creates natural space for mature singers to explore subtlety and restraint, qualities that often get overlooked in more extroverted repertoire. This is a piece that rewards singers who understand that conviction doesn't require volume.
What to expect
There's a quiet elegance here, a sense of looking back with both gratitude and recognition of life's complexity. The melancholy isn't heavy; it's the kind that comes from genuine reflection. The piano weaves in and out of the vocal lines, creating intimate moments of conversation between instruments and voices.
Who it's for
This arrangement suits choirs with singers who have developed comfort with jazz-influenced harmonic language and who appreciate singing at a mature emotional register. Community ensembles, college choirs, and advanced high school groups will find it accessible and meaningful.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the voices so the piano texture remains visible throughout. The instrumental writing is compositional, not decorative.
- Approach the text conversationally. This is a intimate reflection, not a proclamation.
- Shape phrases around the harmonic movement rather than artificial breath marks. Let the piano's voice guide your phrasing decisions.
- Find the gentle swing within the rhythm without pressing it. Horn's style was never heavy-handed.
How to use it
Reserve this for a concert devoted to classic American songwriting or for a set exploring themes of reflection and gratitude. It pairs naturally with other vintage pop standards and jazz arrangements, and it offers a contemplative counterpoint to more energetic selections. The piece works especially well as the closing number of a set or as a gentle encore.
Skills your students will build
- Singing jazz-influenced harmony with accurate intonation
- Responding to piano accompaniment as a musical partner
- Phrasing across harmonic changes
- Dynamic control and vocal restraint
- Interpretation of American song repertoire