How High the Moon: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Jay Althouse's samba arrangement strips away some of the jazz standard's weightiness and replaces it with groove, energy, and the kind of tight harmonic writing that makes pop choral directors' lives easier. The scat section gives soloists a genuine moment to shine while keeping the piece ensemble-focused, and the recorded accompaniment means you can program this without needing a full jazz rhythm section.

Bright, propulsive, and playful. The samba rhythm gives the classic melody a sense of movement and warmth, while the tight harmonies keep the piece feeling polished and intentional rather than casual. There's room for joy and personality here without compromising musicality.

Directors of intermediate to advanced jazz or pop choral groups looking for accessible but harmonically interesting repertoire. This works equally well for secular concert programming, festival preparation, or a hybrid classical-contemporary concert that needs a stylistic shift.

• Lock the samba groove early in rehearsals. This rhythm feel is unfamiliar territory for many classically trained singers, so isolate the accompaniment track and have the ensemble sing along to internalize the pocket before layering harmonies.
• Shape the scat section as a spotlight moment rather than an afterthought. The singer needs confidence and clarity here; consider bringing in a soloist who thrives on improvisation or can deliver written scat with real attitude.
• Balance the recorded accompaniment so it sits under the voices throughout. Test different volume levels during your first rehearsal with the full track; the goal is rhythmic support, not competition.

Place this in the second half of a concert after heavier classical or contemporary work, or use it to anchor a jazz-themed set. The recorded accompaniment makes it a practical choice for spring concerts where rehearsal time is tight, and the stylistic freshness offers strong contrast if programmed alongside traditional American songbook selections.

• Reading and executing Latin rhythm patterns (samba feel)
• Blend and balance within jazz voicings
• Responding to a recorded accompaniment with rhythmic precision
• Confidence and clarity in scat singing
• Awareness of historical context (standards reinterpreted across genres)