Let's Fall in Love: SAB Choral Octavo

Jay Althouse's medley captures Porter's signature wit and sophistication while keeping the arrangement accessible for SAB choirs. The eight-and-a-half-minute package delivers multiple Porter hits in a single rehearsal-efficient selection, eliminating the challenge of programming several shorter pieces while maintaining musical variety and momentum. Recorded accompaniments and optional instrumental parts transform this into a flexible programming option that works equally well for concert, competition, or showcase settings.

Elegant, playful, and undeniably sophisticated. Porter's melodic gifts shine throughout, accompanied by Althouse's skillful orchestration that suggests the glamour of theatrical performance without overwhelming a student choir. The medley format creates buoyancy and variety, moving between tender moments and bright, sassy passages that keep singers and listeners engaged.

This medley suits intermediate to advanced SAB choirs seeking substantial, rewarding repertoire that appeals to mixed-age ensembles and diverse audiences. Directors looking for a single selection that delivers entertainment value, musical substance, and flexible performance options will find this arrangement invaluable.

• Honor the jazz inflections in Porter's harmonic language. These songs swing, so resist the temptation to sing them straight; lean into the syncopation and rhythmic flexibility that makes them feel alive.
• Balance clarity of diction with the emotional arc of each song segment. Porter's lyrics are clever and witty only if audiences hear them, so prioritize articulation without sacrificing legit vocal tone.
• Study the recorded accompaniment early in rehearsal to absorb the stylistic nuances and rhythmic grooves. Porter's songs have specific feels that the arrangement captures; this recording becomes your interpretive guide.
• Shape phrase endings with restraint. Porter's melodies are inherently sophisticated; resist over-sentimentalizing or adding unnecessary dynamics that fight against the music's natural elegance.

This works beautifully as a centerpiece for a pops or jazz-inflected concert, offering the style and length to anchor a second half or to bridge between classical and contemporary selections. The optional instrumental parts invite collaboration with your jazz ensemble or small combo, expanding performance possibilities beyond the choral group alone.

• Phrasing and interpretation of jazz-influenced melodic lines
• Diction clarity in faster, rhythmically complex passages
• Singing through harmonic sophistication and unexpected chord changes
• Stylistic flexibility and appropriate musical character across multiple song segments
• Ensemble blend and balance in SAB voicing across a medley format