My Funny Valentine (arr. Mac Huff): SSA Choral Octavo

Mac Huff's SSA arrangement brings a sophisticated harmonic language to this beloved standard without sacrificing its essential elegance. The voicing sits beautifully for women's voices while preserving the jazz sensibility of the original, making it equally effective for concert programming or jazz choir performance.

Intimate and wistful, this setting captures the tender complexity of the original song. The jazz harmonies shimmer beneath a soaring melody, creating an arrangement that feels both modern and timeless.

This arrangement serves SSA choirs seeking sophisticated jazz repertoire that challenges musicianship without overwhelming young singers. It works equally well for advanced high school ensembles and college-level groups building their jazz and standards repertoire.

• Balance the top line carefully; this melody demands presence, but let the inner voices breathe so the harmonic movement stays audible
• Emphasize the lyrical quality of the text even as you navigate the jazz inflections. The emotional vulnerability of this song depends on genuine phrasing, not technical showiness
• Shape the dynamics across the entire arc rather than viewing phrases in isolation. The song builds momentum toward its emotional peak, so plan your volume trajectory accordingly

Consider programming this as a showcase moment in a concert built around jazz standards or American songbook material. Its reflective mood makes it effective as a bridge between higher-energy pieces, and it pairs naturally with other Rodgers and Hart gems.

• Singing jazz phrasing and inflection in an SSA context
• Reading and executing chromatic voice leading
• Balancing melody and inner-voice harmony in jazz textures
• Interpreting sophisticated harmonic movement aurally