I've Got You Under My Skin: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Kirby Shaw understands exactly how to open up a Porter standard for mixed voices without sacrificing the song's sophisticated harmonic identity or its swing feel. The recorded accompaniment CD lets singers hear the groove in context immediately, which accelerates learning and keeps rehearsals focused on blend, balance, and the elegant phrasing this arrangement demands. Programming a piece this recognizable and culturally resonant alongside your concert repertoire signals to audiences and singers alike that you're serious about American vocal music.

Smooth, sophisticated swing that feels both classic and immediately engaging. The piece has the confidence of a Sinatra recording but sings in a way that's achievable for a choir, with moments of warmth and intimacy balanced against the propulsive energy of its groove.

Mixed choir directors seeking a contemporary, professionally arranged standard that sits well on the concert stage and excites singers with a recognizable title and confident groove. Intermediate to advanced choral ensembles with good rhythm reading skills and the ability to balance multiple moving parts will thrive with this arrangement.

• Lock the rhythm section's swing feel first. Have the bass, drum, and piano parts synced to the recorded accompaniment before full choir rehearsals begin; once the groove is solid, singers find their pocket naturally.
• Shape phrases in longer lines rather than phrase-to-phrase. Porter's lyrics flow conversationally, so encourage singers to breathe in natural speech spots and sustain through the musical architecture rather than breaking at every bar line.
• Balance the upper voices carefully against the bass line. This arrangement likely features the groove in lower voices; rehearse to ensure sopranos and altos sit above the rhythm section without drowning it out.
• Emphasize swing articulation in rhythm figures. Crisp, light consonants and relaxed vowels help the ensemble swing together, especially on repeated figures or syncopated passages.

Position this as a concert highlight that bridges your classical and contemporary repertoire, or pair it with other Porter standards or jazz-influenced American song arrangements to build a cohesive themed set. It works equally well in a pops concert, a spring show with theatrical flair, or a concert celebrating American songwriting; the recorded accompaniment makes it flexible enough to program as a featured piece or a concert opener that sets an upbeat, swinging tone.

• Swing articulation and rhythmic precision in syncopated figures
• Phrase shaping and breath placement in song-based melody lines
• Balance and blend when singing over a recorded rhythm section
• Understanding harmonic movement through Porter's sophisticated chord changes
• Stylistic interpretation of mid-century American popular song