I Got Rhythm: Choral SoundPax

Mark Hayes does what few arrangers can: he honors Gershwin's original genius while unleashing rhythmic energy that makes singers sit up and sing. The arrangement channels the swing and syncopation of the song itself into writing that feels both accessible and genuinely sophisticated. This is a piece that energizes an entire choir and leaves an audience grinning.

Pure rhythmic vitality and joy. Mark Hayes captures the sophisticated swing and clever syncopation of Gershwin's original, then amplifies it through layered vocal writing that locks singers into the groove. Singing this arrangement should feel like you're part of a tightly wound musical engine, full of energy and good humor.

Choirs with solid rhythmic training and singers comfortable with jazz-influenced harmony will thrive with this arrangement. It works for high school show choirs, college and university choirs programming lighter material, or any ensemble looking for a crowd-pleasing standard that still respects the music. This is also a natural fit for community and adult choirs who know and love the song.

• Lock the rhythmic precision from the start. Gershwin's syncopation demands that your singers feel the groove together; sloppy rhythm undercuts the whole arrangement. Rehearse the trickiest rhythmic figures in isolation first, then layer them back into context.
• Pay close attention to Hayes's dynamic markings and articulation. They're written to shape the phrases and create the swagger the arrangement needs. Don't smooth over the staccatos or let accents get lost.
• Use the recorded accompaniment during rehearsals to help singers internalize the harmonic movement and feel the jazz-inflected chord voicings. This arrangement sits in a harmonic language that benefits from hearing the full picture early.
• Encourage singers to commit to the text and the character the lyric demands. This isn't a piece to phone in; the joy comes from singers who understand they're delivering a classic with personality and punch.

Program this as a centerpiece of a pops concert or a lighter second half of a more traditional choral program. It pairs naturally with other Great American Songbook standards or other Mark Hayes arrangements. The piece also works beautifully as a finale when you want to send the audience out smiling and energized.

• Syncopated rhythm reading and execution
• Jazz-influenced harmonic listening and intonation
• Rhythmic independence within a layered ensemble texture
• Stylistic interpretation of swing and syncopation
• Articulation and dynamic shaping for stylistic effect