I Put a Spell on You: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Jacob Narverud's arrangement captures the song's irresistible swagger and theatrical energy without losing the intimate menace of Hawkins' original. The SoundTrax and SoundPax instrumentation options give you genuine flexibility; you can program this with full ensemble backing or strip it down depending on your stage setup and rehearsal time. It's a surefire crowd-pleaser that works equally well as a Halloween anchor or a pops concert showstopper, and the recorded accompaniment makes it accessible even if your accompanist or pit musicians aren't available.

Cool, mischievous, and irresistibly groovy. The arrangement captures the song's sly seduction and rhythmic swagger, with harmonic underpinning that feels both retro and contemporary. There's a wink in every phrase; your singers should feel like they're in on the joke, delivering lines with confidence and a touch of theatrical flair.

This arrangement suits choirs of intermediate skill and above who want a high-impact, audience-friendly piece with genuine performance appeal. It works beautifully for mixed ensembles and gives directors a rare opportunity to program something recognizable and fun without sacrificing musical credibility.

• Lean into the character and attitude of the lyric. This song demands a knowing delivery; instruct your singers to commit to the theatrical intent rather than playing it straight.
• Balance vocal clarity with the groove. The rhythm section and instrumental parts can easily overshadow unison or divisi lines, so rehearse levels carefully and ensure your singers cut through without straining.
• Work with your soloists on phrasing and vocal tone. The lead part benefits from a sultry, confident delivery that mirrors the original's bluesy sensibility.
• Use the recorded accompaniment in rehearsal to lock in the groove. This song lives or dies by its rhythmic pocket, so frequent exposure to the professional-quality SoundTrax helps your singers internalize the feel.

This is natural programming for October concerts, but don't limit it to Halloween. Pair it with other classic pop or oldies numbers for a pops program, or use it as a tone-lightening palate cleanser between more serious choral works. The recorded accompaniment option makes it especially valuable for mixed-level or community choirs that may lack steady keyboard or band support.

• Singing with rhythmic precision in a groove-oriented style
• Balancing blend and intonation within a pop arrangement
• Interpreting character and attitude in a secular arrangement
• Responding to recorded accompaniment cues and ensemble balance
• Reading divisi and solo sections within a choral texture