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

Jay Althouse's samba treatment brings genuine rhythmic energy to two standards that have been arranged countless times. Rather than another swing or ballad approach, the samba style feels fresh and unexpected while keeping both melodies instantly recognizable. This is the kind of arrangement that reminds singers why these songs have lasted nearly a century.

Warm, rhythmically buoyant, and surprisingly modern despite drawing from mid-century songwriting. The samba style infuses familiarity with movement, creating an arrangement that feels both nostalgic and alive.

Directors working with treble or mixed choirs who want to program standards in a contemporary way. This arrangement works equally well for high school ensembles exploring jazz literature and community or collegiate choirs looking for accessible pop-choral material that doesn't sacrifice musical substance.

• Lock in the samba rhythm as a section before worrying about melody details. The pulse is the foundation here, and if your choir owns the groove, the tuning and phrasing will follow.
• Balance the arrangement so the lyrics come through clearly. With a light, rhythmic style like samba, diction can blur if dynamics aren't controlled; keep voices lifted but never strained.
• If you're using the recorded accompaniment, rehearse with it early and often. The samba groove won't feel natural otherwise, and your singers need time to lock into a different rhythmic feel than they might expect from these melodies.

Pair this with other Great American Songbook selections to create a standards-focused concert set, or use it as a bridge between classical choral repertoire and contemporary pop. The samba style also makes it effective as a concert opener or closer, setting a relaxed, engaging tone.

• Singing syncopated rhythms in a Latin style
• Maintaining steady pulse within an ensemble rhythm section
• Interpreting two contrasting melodies with appropriate jazz phrasing
• Reading a three-part mixed voicing (SAB) with optional instrumental accompaniment