Jet Set (from the musical Catch Me If You Can): Choral SoundPax

Shaiman's original song writing translates beautifully into choral arrangements that feel contemporary without sacrificing musical substance. Eric Van Cleave's arrangement captures the swagger and propulsive energy of the show while building in the tight harmonies and accessible ranges that make this genuinely fun to rehearse and perform.

Kinetic and world-traveled. The piece has the sleekness of mid-century jet-set fantasy with modern harmonic color and rhythmic drive. You feel the momentum of departure, the sophistication of the journey, and the infectious confidence of singers who own the room.

Show choirs and advanced high school or collegiate choral groups looking for contemporary repertoire with genuine theatrical flair. This arrangement works for programs that value both musical challenge and audience engagement, offering singers a chance to perform a recognizable Broadway tune with style and precision.

• Balance the recorded accompaniment so the horn lines sit clearly underneath the vocal lines without overwhelming them; this track is busy and needs careful level setting in rehearsal.
• Lock the rhythmic precision in the rhythm section early. The groove drives the piece, so anchor your singers' sense of pulse through multiple run-throughs with the accompaniment before polishing vocal blend.
• Shape the energy across sections rather than maintaining one dynamic throughout. The arrangement has natural peaks and valleys; identify them in rehearsal and resist the urge to sing at full intensity from measure one.
• Commit to the character of the text. This is travel, adventure, and forward momentum. The physicality in your singers' posture and engagement will directly affect how the audience experiences the piece.

This works as an opener that establishes energy and sets an upbeat tone for a concert, or as the anchor of a Broadway-themed set. Its contemporary pop sensibility pairs well with other musical theater selections while standing apart from standard choral repertoire. The recorded accompaniment makes it viable for smaller programs that may lack horn players.

• Balancing tight jazz voicings with clean attacks and releases
• Singing over a recorded rhythm section with secure pulse and independence
• Matching articulation and rhythmic precision across vocal parts
• Shaping phrases and dynamics within a groove-based arrangement
• Maintaining character and energy through repetitive harmonic and melodic material