I Only Have Eyes for You: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Mark Hayes brings real swing and contemporary humor to this classic without undercutting its charm. The arrangement rides that perfect line between familiar nostalgia and energetic fun, giving choirs a song that audiences know and singers enjoy performing. The scat section and jazzy syncopations keep things fresh enough that even singers who've heard this song a hundred times will find something new to sink their teeth into.

Pure sophisticated fun. The arrangement sparkles with jazzy syncopations and a gentle irreverence that keeps the mood light even when the subject is romance. There's a wink in every phrase, especially when that scat section kicks in, making this feel more playful than saccharine.

Choirs looking for a secular standard that appeals to singers and audiences alike, from high school show choirs to community and college ensembles. This works equally well for directors who want a confident crowd-pleaser or for singers who need to experience swing idioms, scat style, and big-band orchestration firsthand.

• Lock the rhythm section and percussion into the swing feel from the start; the groove sits slightly behind the beat, which takes rehearsal to nail consistently
• Shape the scat section with clarity and confidence; rhythmic precision matters more here than lyrical legibility, so the playfulness lands
• Let the recorded accompaniment guide phrasing and dynamic shape, especially through key changes where the band's energy either builds or pulls back
• Balance the soloist or section leader against the full voice so the jazz inflections stay audible without drowning out the harmony underneath

Program this as a standalone number in a concert built around standards, or pair it with other jazz arrangements to create a set that shows your choir's range beyond classical repertoire. The contemporary twist in the text also makes it perfect for a spring or end-of-year concert where a little levity and current cultural reference land well.

• Singing jazz syncopation and swing rhythms
• Scat singing technique and rhythmic articulation
• Phrasing and inflection in popular music idioms
• Blending with recorded accompaniment and following ensemble cues from a band arrangement