I Got Rhythm: SSAB Choral Octavo

Mark Hayes brings orchestral sweep and rhythmic precision to a song that already pulses with energy, but his arrangement adds real depth without losing the tune's irresistible bounce. The writing sits comfortably for mixed voices while maintaining the jazz character that makes Gershwin's music so engaging for singers and audiences alike. You'll find this energizes a concert instantly.

You'll experience the propulsive, irresistible forward drive that defines great jazz standards, with Gershwin's characteristic melodic gift intact. The arrangement swings hard while maintaining clarity and shape, offering singers the satisfaction of rhythmic precision meeting lyrical singing. It's music that makes you move.

Directors programming concerts that need a crowd-pleaser with musical credibility will find this essential. Mixed choirs at the intermediate to advanced level have the range and rhythmic facility this arrangement demands. It works equally well for pop choral groups wanting to bridge into jazz idiom or traditional programs seeking a showstopper.

• Lock the rhythm section and brass figures into a groove first; once those layers sit tight, the vocal lines land with proper swing and clarity.
• Shape phrases through dynamic contrast rather than tempo shifts. Let the rhythmic density create forward motion, particularly through those repetitive sections.
• Balance the recorded accompaniment so it sits behind the choir; the arrangement's orchestration can easily overshadow voices if levels aren't checked carefully.
• Articulate repeated rhythmic figures with precision and confidence. The tune's power comes partly from clean attack and release on short note values.

Close a concert with this and watch the audience respond immediately; it's the kind of finale that leaves people energized. Alternatively, place it early in a program to establish an upbeat tone and signal that the evening will feature accessible, joyful music. This arrangement also pairs well alongside other Great American Songbook selections or as a jazz-inflected moment within a mixed repertoire concert.

• Reading rhythmic figures in syncopated swing style
• Balancing independent melodic lines with composite harmonic function
• Articulating repeated rhythmic motifs with consistent precision
• Responding to jazz accompaniment and swung eighth notes
• Sustaining ensemble cohesion through rapid harmonic changes