It's De-Lovely: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

Jay Althouse's arrangement captures the urbane charm of Porter's original while making it immediately accessible to choirs at this level. The SoundTrax recording lets singers hear the shape and swing of the tune before rehearsal, which pays dividends when teaching Porter's syncopated rhythms and chromatic voice leading. This is the kind of standard that audiences recognize and singers enjoy performing, which means genuine engagement from both sides of the stage.

Urbane and playful, with a touch of jazz sophistication. The melody dances above bright harmonies, and the lyric invites singers to smile while they're singing. It feels like putting on something elegant but never stuffy.

High school, college, and community choirs seeking standard repertoire with genuine musical substance and audience appeal. Directors who want their singers to engage with classic American songwriting and experience how sophisticated harmony and clever text work together.

• Balance the text with rhythmic precision. Porter's lyrics land on unexpected beats, so lock in the rhythm section early and let singers hear the groove before polishing the melody line.
• Shape the phrases to breathe naturally through the lyrical wit. Rushing diminishes Porter's humor; give each clever rhyme room to land.
• Use the recorded accompaniment in early rehearsals to establish the swing feel and harmonic color, then gradually reduce reliance on it as the choir internalizes the style.
• Feature soloists or small sections on key phrases if your arrangement allows. Porter's music thrives when personality shines through.

Program this as a showpiece in a concert built around American standards or Golden Age songwriting. It pairs beautifully with other Porter pieces or with arrangements from the Great American Songbook, and its upbeat character makes it an excellent closer or pre-intermission selection.

• Singing syncopated rhythms against regular harmonic changes
• Interpreting swing style articulation and phrasing
• Balancing comic timing with musical line
• Reading jazz-influenced harmonies with chromatic voice leading