Jeepers Creepers: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Jay Althouse's arrangement captures the playful charm of this 1938 standard while keeping the harmonic sophistication engaging for singers. The inclusion of scat singing and authentic jazz sonorities introduces your choir to essential jazz vocabulary without requiring specialized training, and the SoundTrax CD makes rehearsal straightforward from day one.

Bright, buoyant, and flirtatious, with a gentle swing that sits somewhere between a ballad and an upbeat pop tune. The arrangement balances the song's vintage charm with enough harmonic color and rhythmic interest to keep singers engaged, creating a performance that feels both familiar and freshly interpreted.

Mixed choirs of intermediate skill level looking to add accessible Great American Songbook repertoire with authentic jazz flavor to their concert programs. This works particularly well for groups comfortable with basic scat vocabulary but seeking a piece that doesn't require extensive jazz training or a specialized rhythm section.

• Familiarize singers with the scat section early in rehearsal. Break it into manageable phrases and have sections trade back and forth before attempting the full texture, so everyone feels secure with the rhythmic placement and style.
• Use the recorded accompaniment during warm-ups to acclimate your ensemble to the swing feel and rubato of the opening verse. The phrasing is more nuanced than a metronomic click, so singers need repeated listening.
• Shape the dynamics around the vocal line's narrative arc rather than making each phrase equally bright. The "innocently flirtatious" character works best when singers find contrast between the tender verse and the more spirited choruses.
• Encourage singers to listen to classic recordings (Armstrong, Fitzgerald) to hear how jazz artists approach phrasing and articulation. Even if your choir doesn't fully replicate that style, familiarity changes how naturally they phrase the melody.

Program this as a palate cleanser in a concert that mixes classical and contemporary work, or as a signature piece for a jazz-focused concert or spring show. Its accessible melody and relatively short length make it ideal for building ensemble confidence mid-rehearsal season while introducing singers to jazz idioms they'll encounter in more demanding repertoire later.

• Scat singing basics and rhythmic articulation
• Swing eighth-note interpretation
• Reading and performing jazz harmonic colors (seventh chords, chromatic voice leading)
• Ensemble blend in a popular music context
• Phrasing and interpretation guided by recorded accompaniment