I Only Have Eyes for You / The More I See You: SATB Choral Octavo

Jay Althouse's samba arrangement strips away the swing era conventions these songs are famous for and replaces them with something genuinely fresh without sacrificing the melodies' inherent beauty. The result sits perfectly for choirs that want to program standards but need something beyond the predictable jazz or ballad treatment. This piece proves that familiar songs can surprise audiences when arranged with purpose.

Warm, infectious, and celebratory. The samba pulse lifts the melodies into something contemporary while preserving the romantic charm these standards carry. Singing this arrangement feels like performing rather than merely standing in place.

This octavo belongs in choirs seeking concert or pop repertoire that appeals to general audiences without compromising musical substance. Whether your singers range from strong sightreaders to those still building confidence, the familiar melodies make learning accessible while the fresh arrangement keeps the music engaging.

• Establish the samba rhythm early in rehearsal using the recorded accompaniment; let the percussion drive the ensemble's sense of groove rather than fighting against it.
• Balance the two titles carefully so each gets its moment without the medley feeling rushed. The transition point needs clarity so listeners register that a new song has begun.
• Approach the harmonies with rhythmic precision. The samba style demands crisp articulation in the chords to maintain the arrangement's lightness.
• Anchor soloists in the groove using the accompaniment track during rehearsal, especially if staging calls for a featured voice on either tune.

Program this alongside other Great American Songbook repertoire in a concert built around standards, or use it as a standalone piece to break up a concert and shift the energy toward something danceable. The 12-page format fits easily into any program structure, and its accessibility to audiences makes it excellent for community concerts or performances where you want the choir to connect with listeners in the room.

• Reading samba rhythm patterns in all voice parts
• Balancing melody against rhythmic accompaniment
• Maintaining ensemble precision with syncopated harmonic entries
• Projecting melodic lines from within four-part writing
• Coordinate rhythmic articulation across the choir