Let's Fall in Love: SATB Choral Octavo

Jay Althouse's medley captures the essential Porter without sacrificing choral singability. The arrangement moves between his most iconic melodies with style and humor, giving your choir access to sophisticated songwriting without requiring jazz-trained soloists. At 8 1/2 minutes, it's substantial enough to anchor a concert but structured so each song gets its due moment.

Sophisticated without being precious. The arrangement sparkles with knowing wit and polished Broadway glamour, moving through moments of brightness and sass that reflect Porter's trademark style. Your choir will feel the swagger of the Great American Songbook while staying grounded in choral tradition.

High school choirs and college ensembles with at least basic jazz sensibility and secure SATB voicing. This medley works equally well for show choirs developing a standard-based book or concert choirs seeking accessible crossover repertoire that bridges classical and popular styles.

• Balance the familiar melodies against Althouse's supporting harmonies. The arrangement is written to accompany, not overshadow, Porter's tunes, so resist the urge to overstate the main line.
• Approach the rhythmic figures with a light swing feel rather than straightly metered delivery. Porter's music sits naturally in a relaxed jazz pocket.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock the ensemble on key changes and style shifts between songs. The medley format requires precise entrances after each transition.
• Shape phrases around the lyrical content. Porter wrote words that demand attention, so give singers clear diction cues and encourage them to project the wit and elegance of his language.

Program this as a standalone feature on a pops or crossover concert, particularly alongside other American songbook material. It also works beautifully as the centerpiece of a tribute concert or as a lighter second-half opener that resets energy after more serious repertoire.

• Jazz phrasing and swing feel in a choral context
• Harmonic sophistication through Porter's extended chords and chromatic movement
• Managing multiple melody/text combinations in medley format
• Stylistic contrast between distinct songs within a single arrangement
• Diction clarity at conversational tempos where lyrical content matters