It Had to Be You: SAB Choral Octavo
Words by Gus Kahn, music by Isham Jones / arr. Greg Gilpin
Item: 00-PO-0005647
$2.00
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
First published in 1924, this beautiful melody has been recorded by a wide variety of hit-makers including Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Michael Bublé, and Carrie Underwood. Quickly-learned choral parts make this an easy feature for groups of all types.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, It Had to Be You: SAB Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0005647
More about this title
About the Composer: Isham Jones
Isham Jones (1894-1956) was a bandleader, composer, and violinist who shaped the sound of American popular music during the 1920s and 1930s. His orchestra was one of the most recorded ensembles of the era, and his compositions became standards of the Great American Songbook, performed by generations of artists across jazz, pop, and classical genres.
Jones had an ear for memorable melody and sophisticated harmony. "It Had to Be You," written in 1924 with lyricist Gus Kahn, exemplifies his gift for crafting songs that endure across decades and musical styles. His work remains essential listening for understanding the roots of American popular song.
Why we love this
Greg Gilpin's arrangement respects the song's timeless appeal while making it genuinely singable for SAB choirs at any experience level. The quick-learning curve means you get a crowd-pleasing feature without spending weeks on part independence, and the optional instrumental accompaniment parts give you flexibility for concert variety.
What to expect
Warm, conversational, and genuinely romantic without being overwrought. The melody unfolds with the ease of spoken language, and there's a gentle inevitability to its phrases that draws listeners in immediately. This is a song that sounds like someone explaining why a certain person matters, set to music.
Who it's for
SAB choirs looking for a secular feature that connects with contemporary audiences while drawing on beloved American song tradition. Community choirs, high school ensembles, and adult singers will all find this accessible and satisfying to perform.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the melody with subtle dynamics rather than a flat delivery. The song's emotional core lives in the phrasing and the natural rise and fall of the tune, not in dramatic swells.
- Balance the parts carefully so the sopranos carry the lead without drowning out the alto and baritone lines. These three voices weave together, and each needs breathing room.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to anchor rhythmic precision during early rehearsals, especially if your ensemble is still building confidence with the SAB texture.
- Find the swagger underneath the sentimentality. This is a song about certainty and inevitability, not wistfulness. Let that confidence show in your tone and posture.
How to use it
Pair this with other Great American Songbook standards for a concert celebrating classic American song, or use it as a contrast piece between more contemporary pop arrangements and classical selections. Its familiarity and charm make it an excellent closer or feature for a mixed-repertoire concert.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing three-part mixed voicing while maintaining melodic clarity
- Phrasing lyrical vocal lines with natural speech rhythm
- Sight-reading SAB harmonic structures
- Building ensemble blend across soprano, alto, and baritone parts