I'se the B'y: SATB Choral Octavo

DeCormier's arrangements honor the character of folk material while making it accessible to mixed choirs. His experience arranging for professional vocal ensembles and folk artists brings authenticity to the writing; you hear someone who understands how these songs actually live in the tradition, not someone applying generic choral techniques. A director looking for repertoire that feels genuine and sings naturally will find this arrangement does exactly that.

Sturdy and warm, with the unpretentious charm of a song that's been sung for generations. The arrangement keeps the folk melody front and center while the harmony gives it gentle support, creating something that feels both familiar and newly crafted.

This arrangement suits intermediate to advanced SATB choirs with steady ensemble cohesion. It works for directors building programs that include folk material alongside other styles, and for singers who enjoy the direct emotional honesty of folk song.

• Balance the voices so the melody floats clearly without drowning out the inner parts; folk arrangements depend on transparency.
• Let the harmonic language breathe; resist over-conducting. The charm lives in the straightforward, conversational quality of the setting.
• Work for clean, unified vowels in the refrain to maximize the singability and lift the energy at these moments.

Pair this with other arranged folk songs for a thematic concert section, or use it as a palette cleanser between more formal classical works. It also anchors programs celebrating American or maritime traditions. The 16-page length makes it manageable for typical concert rehearsal schedules.

• Singing four-part harmony in straightforward, diatonic folk arrangements
• Balancing ensemble blend when melody is not in the soprano voice
• Maintaining natural, conversational phrasing in folk idiom
• Reading and interpreting simple dynamic and textual contrasts across all voice parts