I'm Glad There Is You (In This World Of Ordinary People): SAB Choral Octavo

Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures the warmth and sophistication of this Dorsey standard while making it completely accessible to developing choirs. The SAB voicing sits naturally across three parts, and the swing sensibility never feels forced or overly complicated. It's a piece that teaches jazz style without demanding technical virtuosity, giving singers real experience with a genuine American standard.

There's a gentle contentment running through this ballad, a quiet gratitude expressed without sentimentality. The harmony glows warmly in the three-part texture, and the melodic line has the unhurried elegance of mid-century jazz singing.

This arrangement works for intermediate to advanced mixed choirs looking to perform a legitimate jazz standard without leaving the classical choral world. It's ideal for groups that want to establish credibility in the swing repertoire or blend this piece into a concert program that mixes classical and popular traditions.

• Anchor the piece with a solid harmonic foundation in the baritone line; the jazz voicings require secure intonation to land the chords cleanly and let the melody breathe above.
• Shape the melody with gentle lift on phrase endings rather than letting them fall away; this keeps the ballad from becoming overly sentimental.
• Balance alto and soprano lines carefully in passages where they move independently, ensuring the arrangement's inner voices don't disappear.

Position this as a thoughtful interlude in a concert that moves between genres, or pair it with other Dorsey-era standards to create a focused program around American songwriting. It works equally well as a spring concert feature or as part of a jazz-focused evening, provided your group has adequate rehearsal time to settle into the swing style.

• Reading and executing swing rhythm in a choral context
• Balancing melody and harmony in jazz voicings
• Shaping jazz phrasing without over-dramatizing
• Intonating complex jazz harmonies across three parts
• Understanding the architecture of American popular song forms