Lullaby of Broadway (and Forty-Second Street): Choral SoundPax

Jay Althouse's arrangement brings two classic Broadway standards into a single, cohesive choral work that demands nothing of your singers musically while delivering maximum theatrical impact. The included instrumental parts give your choir genuine jazz-band accompaniment, transforming a standard concert number into something that feels like a full production.

Bright, rhythmic, and unmistakably Broadway. The arrangement captures the energy and nostalgia of two golden-age standards while keeping the vocal parts accessible and the rhythm section driving throughout. It feels like stepping onto a stage, not sitting in a concert hall.

High school and community choirs looking for a repertoire piece that combines Broadway charm with genuine ensemble work. The choir-friendly vocal writing and theatrical context make this ideal for directors who want to program something upbeat without sacrificing musicality.

• Balance the instrumental parts carefully in rehearsal; these players set the groove and drive the tempo, so lock them in early and often.
• Mark your score with clear entrances and cutoffs, especially around transitions between the two songs. The recorded accompaniment can mask timing slips.
• Work the choreography and staging markers into your blocking well before dress rehearsal. Movement and Staging notes are included, so use them.
• Record a rehearsal run without the accompaniment to assess whether your singers are carrying the melody clearly enough to be heard over the rhythm section.

Program this as a high-energy second-half opener or as the anchor of a Broadway-themed concert. Its theatrical nature and recorded accompaniment make it feel like a complete production number even in a standard concert setting.

• Rhythmic clarity and ensemble precision with a rhythm section
• Singing through jazz accompaniments without losing diction
• Stage movement and blocking coordination across the full ensemble
• Style and phrasing in contemporary song literature