How High the Moon: SAB Choral Octavo

Jay Althouse transforms a jazz classic into something your singers will genuinely enjoy performing. The samba rhythm brings energy and movement, the tight harmonies demand focus without becoming unwieldy for a three-part choir, and that scat section gives soloists a real moment to shine while the ensemble provides locked, rhythmic support.

Bright, swinging, and rhythmically alive. The samba arrangement keeps the iconic melody recognizable while wrapping it in a tropical warmth that feels contemporary rather than retro. The scat section brings a conversational, improvised quality that contrasts beautifully with the ensemble's tightly voiced harmony.

Directors working with treble or mixed three-part choirs who want to program accessible jazz repertoire that sounds current and fun. The SAB voicing works well for mixed choirs where soprano and alto blend easily, or for treble choirs with a solid alto section to anchor the harmony.

• Lock the rhythm section (alto and baritone lines) early in rehearsal. The samba groove depends on precise, consistent subdivision; isolate these parts and drill them as a unit before adding the soprano melody.
• Bring out the scat section as a feature moment. Whoever sings the scat solo needs clear space and confident singers behind them; rehearse with dynamics that let the soloist float without strain.
• Approach the harmonies with a conversational ease rather than classical purity. Jazz phrasing allows for slight lags and breath points that feel natural; coach singers to listen across the chord and breathe together at phrase breaks.

Pair this with other standards or jazz pieces to create a cohesive set, or use it as a showstopper in a mixed-genre concert where you want an upbeat closer. It works especially well in spring concerts or performances celebrating jazz and popular song.

• Reading syncopated rhythm in a samba groove
• Blending sustained harmony while maintaining rhythmic precision
• Trading solo and ensemble roles within a single arrangement
• Handling jazz articulation and phrasing conventions