It Had Better Be Tonight (recorded by Michael Buble): Choral SoundPax

This arrangement captures the sophisticated groove and Latin fire of Bublé's recording while remaining genuinely singable for mixed choirs. The instrumental writing supports rather than competes with the voices, and the synth and rhythm section parts allow groups without a full jazz combo to still deliver that polished, contemporary sound. Programming this alongside standard show tunes or jazz standards gives your choir serious credibility and energy.

Warm, swinging, and unmistakably cool. The Latin percussion and horn section create instant sophistication, while the melody remains rooted in Mancini's gift for singable, memorable writing. There's energy and polish here without pretension, much like Bublé's original recording captures a kind of casual glamour.

Mixed choirs with access to instrumental musicians (or the option to use a recorded accompaniment) and singers comfortable with jazz vocabulary and rhythmic flexibility. The part writing sits well for community theater groups, college jazz choirs, and intermediate to advanced high school programs looking for contemporary, recorded-artist arrangements.

• Establish the synth and rhythm section sound first in rehearsals. The groove has to feel effortless and locked; once your rhythm players are solid, the singers can relax into the pocket.
• Pay close attention to the sax section tuning and articulation. These parts color the entire arrangement, so get the tenor and baritone blend tight and rhythmically precise.
• Balance the trumpet section so it sparkles without overwhelming the choir. This is a spotlight moment, but it's supporting the vocal line, not replacing it.
• Shape the Latin rhythmic figures with clarity. These are not ornaments; they're essential to the style. Singers should feel the clave underneath every phrase.

This works brilliantly in a concert built around standards, jazz arrangements, or popular music transcriptions. It's also a natural fit for a holiday program if you're looking for something fresher than the usual Christmas fare, or as a statement piece in a spring pops concert. The sophistication and contemporary recording artists give your program credibility with audiences who don't usually attend choral concerts.

• Singing jazz rhythms and syncopation with ensemble precision
• Balancing voices with a live or recorded instrumental section
• Phrasing and breathing in Latin-influenced grooves
• Tuning and blending chords in a contemporary harmonic language
• Responding to a conducted tempo that settles into a groove rather than a strict metric pulse