How High the Moon: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

Jay Althouse's arrangement captures the sophisticated swing of this jazz standard while keeping it accessible for choral singers. The SoundTrax download gives you both the musical flexibility of a digital file and the option to add instrumental parts, making it easy to customize for your ensemble's needs.

Elegant and playful in equal measure, this arrangement swings with a lightness that feels both classic and fresh. The harmonic movement beneath the melody suggests nightclub sophistication while remaining warm and inviting.

Choirs at the intermediate level and above who want to program a recognizable jazz standard with real harmonic sophistication. This works for groups comfortable with jazz vocabulary and swing interpretation, whether in concert settings or contemporary jazz festivals.

• Emphasize the swing feel throughout; resist the urge to mechanically subdivide the eighth notes. Let the rhythm breathe with the recorded accompaniment.
• Balance the melody line clearly so the lyrical content remains audible, even when the harmonic textures thicken in the accompaniment.
• Pay attention to intonation in the jazz harmonies, particularly in any suspended or extended chords that may feel less traditional than standard choral repertoire.
• If adding instrumental parts, rehearse with them early to establish the groove and ensure your singers lock in with the band sound.

Pair this with other standards or jazz selections to build a full jazz program, or use it as a sophisticated contrast piece in a mixed repertoire concert. It works particularly well as a set closer or showcase moment that engages audiences already familiar with the melody.

• Singing jazz phrasing and swing articulation
• Reading extended jazz harmonies (seventh chords, suspended chords, chromatic movement)
• Balancing blend while maintaining independence in jazz voicings
• Responding to recorded accompaniment with ensemble precision