Isn't This A Lovely Day (To Be Caught In The Rain)? Sheet Music Preview

Isn't This A Lovely Day (To Be Caught In The Rain)?: Choral Instrumental Pak

By Irving Berlin / Arranged by Ed Lojeski

Item: 35-PK00161074

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Description
The 1935 motion picture Top Hat introduced this Irving Berlin song to the world and it continues to be a popular standard for jazz performers. Opening with a rubato verse, it settles into an easy, bluesy swing that will showcase your singers at their best! Duration: ca. 3:35

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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
SKU: 35-PK00161074

More about this title

About the Composer: Irving Berlin

Irving Berlin composed over 1,000 songs across a career spanning nearly eight decades, making him one of the most prolific songwriters in American history. His melodies have a gift for immediate catchiness paired with genuine harmonic sophistication, qualities that made him indispensable to Broadway and Hollywood throughout the 20th century. Berlin's work defined the American songbook and continues to anchor the jazz and vocal repertoire that musicians study today.

Why we love this

Ed Lojeski's arrangement captures the urbane charm of the original while giving your singers room to breathe and shine. The rubato opening creates an intimate moment before the piece settles into a groove that feels both sophisticated and accessible, making it rewarding for both performers and listeners.

What to expect

Rainy day romance with a knowing wink. The melody unfolds with a gentle melancholy in the verse before the rhythm section enters and the whole thing catches the light of a jazz club, warm and unhurried. There's elegance here, but also ease.

Who it's for

This works beautifully for small jazz combos, show choirs, or any chamber vocal group looking to program a standard with historical weight. The compact voicing makes it accessible while the arrangement respects the song's sophistication, so it fits singers with genuine jazz experience and those discovering the style.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the rubato verse with space and flexibility; this is where the lyric lands with real meaning. Let your singers find their own phrasing before locking into the swing feel.
  • Balance clarity in the ensemble lines with the bluesy character of the harmonies. The swing isn't about driving hard but rather sitting into the pocket with ease.
  • Work the rhythm section to sit comfortably behind the vocal line rather than pushing ahead. The accompaniment tracks will guide tempo, so rehearse with them early.

How to use it

Pair this with other standards from the Great American Songbook to build a jazz set, or use it as a palette cleanser between heavier choral works in a mixed concert. The three and a half minute duration makes it perfect for filling a spot in a more eclectic program.

Skills your students will build

  • Jazz phrasing and rhythmic flexibility in a rubato context
  • Swing articulation and groove awareness
  • Balancing solo melody with harmonic support in small ensemble writing
  • Interpretation of lyrical content within a jazz idiom

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