Magic to Do: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Alan Billingsley's arrangement captures everything that makes this song a crowd-pleaser while giving it fresh harmonic color and contemporary vocal writing that feels current without losing the Broadway DNA. You get a piece that your singers already recognize and love, which means they'll invest immediately in the performance rather than needing to build familiarity first. It's the rare arrangement that respects the original while sounding like it was written for today's choirs.

Infectious optimism wrapped in sophisticated harmonic language. The arrangement radiates warmth and theatrical energy without veering into sentimentality, creating a sound that feels both familiar and freshly imagined. Singers experience the joy of performing something their listeners already know and love, which translates into authentic performance energy.

Any choir looking for a Broadway-rooted piece that connects immediately with audiences while offering genuine musical substance for singers. This works equally well for high school choirs, community ensembles, and college groups seeking contemporary choral literature with proven audience appeal.

• Lean into the rhythmic precision of the ensemble; the contemporary arrangement relies on crisp articulation and synchronized attack to create its energy and drive
• Balance the recorded accompaniment carefully during early rehearsals so singers hear themselves clearly while building confidence with the harmonic framework
• Emphasize dynamic contrast between sections to showcase Billingsley's arrangement choices; the piece gains momentum from thoughtful shaping rather than sustained loudness
• Lock in the character and mood early: this song thrives on infectious optimism, so encourage singers to commit to the emotional arc rather than treating it as purely technical

Program this as an anchor piece in a concert celebrating Broadway literature, or pair it with other Schwartz songs to showcase his compositional range. It also works beautifully as a set-opener or closer, where its immediate appeal can energize an audience and lift the overall program.

• Contemporary vocal jazz harmonies and voice leading
• Maintaining rhythmic precision in arranged ensemble textures
• Balancing individual voice parts within modern choral orchestration
• Dynamic control and phrase shaping in pop-influenced music
• Singing with stylistic flexibility while honoring Broadway traditions