It's Only A Paper Moon (arr. Mac Huff): 2-Part Choral Octavo

Huff's setting of this Gershwin standard captures the whimsy and sophistication of the original without asking for virtuosity your singers don't have. The two-part voicing opens the piece to mixed ensembles of any size while keeping enough harmonic interest to sound genuinely musical. It's a crowd-pleaser that teaches something real about jazz phrasing and storytelling.

Sophisticated but never stuffy. The melody floats over gentle harmonies with a conversational quality; there's space to breathe and play with the lyrics. You get the feeling of a late-night jazz club transposed into your rehearsal room, with all the elegance and none of the pretension.

Any choir director wanting to add an authentic jazz standard to the repertoire without overwhelming singers who are new to the genre. This works equally well for middle school choirs exploring pop and jazz as for high school or college ensembles looking for a refreshing change of pace from classical sacred music.

• Shape the melodic line with the kind of ease you'd hear from a jazz vocalist; avoid the trap of making it sound too formal or precious
• Let the rhythm section (if using accompaniment) establish the laid-back swing feel first, then layer the voices in with confidence rather than caution
• Pay attention to the lyrical subtext: the song is cynical and playful at once, so find that balance in the singers' tone and phrasing

Pair this with other standards or swing-era music for a themed concert showcasing American musical theater and jazz traditions. It also works as an excellent palate cleanser between heavier classical or contemporary pieces, bringing joy and accessibility to your audience without sacrificing musical substance.

• Jazz phrasing and rubato
• Reading and executing swing rhythms
• Lyric interpretation and storytelling through song
• Blend and balance in two-part writing
• Improvised ad-libbing (optional extension)