Put a Lid on It: SAB Choral Octavo

This arrangement brings genuine swing authenticity to the SAB voicing without requiring your singers to have jazz chops they don't yet have. The infectious grooves and smart voicings work equally well in concert settings and pops programs, and the 12-page length keeps rehearsal time manageable while still delivering serious musical payoff.

Hot, playful, and propulsive. The arrangement captures that signature Squirrel Nut Zippers sass and bounce: clever without being precious, groovy without being overly complex. Singers feel the joy of swinging together, and audiences respond to the undeniable energy.

Directors who want to energize their choirs with contemporary pop repertoire that has real jazz credentials. This works for choirs with singers in grades 7 and up, from beginning jazz-curious singers to more experienced ensembles looking for accessible swing material.

• Lock the rhythm section early and often. The groove's pocket is everything; if your altos and basses aren't rock-solid on the pulse, the swing feel collapses.
• Lean into the jazz articulation. Short, crisp syllables on swung eighth notes will make the arrangement sparkle; overly sustained vowels kill the style.
• Let the sopranos breathe as soloists in their exposed moments. These lines sit comfortably high and need air and presence to cut through the ensemble texture.
• Use the recorded accompaniment in early rehearsals to anchor the groove, then gradually pull it back as your singers internalize the swing rhythm.

Perfect as a concert closer or a springboard into a pop/pops-themed set. Pair it alongside other contemporary secular pieces for variety, or use it as a gateway into swing and jazz repertoire for singers still finding their footing in the genre.

• Swung eighth-note rhythm and feel
• Jazz articulation and diction
• Three-part SAB blend and balance
• Rhythmic independence within the ensemble
• Phrasing and interpretation in swing style