I Only Have Eyes for You: Choral SoundPax

Mark Hayes brings a playful big-band sensibility to this classic standard without losing its warmth, and the scat-singing moment gives singers a chance to flex some jazz vocabulary in a structured, supportive context. The contemporary reference woven into the arrangement (that mask lyric) signals that this isn't a dusty period piece; it's a song that still speaks to audiences right now. Singers will sound sophisticated and have genuine fun doing it.

Suave and swinging. The big-band voicings create a sophisticated shimmer while the melody sits comfortably in the ear, and those syncopations keep things playful and modern. There's an easy confidence here—the kind of arrangement that makes a choir sound like they belong in a jazz room.

This arrangement works well for choirs with some jazz experience or willingness to develop it. The syncopations and scat singing require singers who can navigate rhythmic flexibility and articulation with accuracy, though Hayes's orchestration supports the singers throughout.

• Land the jazz syncopations with precision by having the choir subdivide the beat in rehearsal; these rhythms need to feel natural, not labored.
• Shape the scat section as a small group moment even if everyone sings it. Let the energy lighten and the articulation get snappier; this is where the arrangement invites playfulness.
• Balance the harmonic richness of the arrangement by listening for inner voices, especially in the big-band voicings. Use the recorded accompaniment to anchor chord quality while you refine blend.
• Treat the contemporary lyrical references as sincere moments, not punchlines. The wink lands better when the musical execution is confident.

Pair this with other jazz standards or contemporary pop arrangements in a concert built around songs that cross generations. It also works beautifully as a bridge piece in a more classical-heavy program, signaling that your choir speaks multiple musical languages. The recorded accompaniment means you could feature this in a casual concert or community setting without requiring a full jazz band.

• Syncopated rhythm reading and execution in a jazz idiom
• Articulation control in scat singing
• Jazz harmony and blend in big-band voicings
• Stylistic interpretation of a standard across period and contemporary contexts