'S Wonderful with It's De-Lovely!: SATB Choral Octavo

Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures the sophisticated playfulness these composers intended, balancing accessibility with harmonic interest that keeps advanced singers engaged. The combination of two beloved standards gives your choir two distinct characters in one octavo, making this ideal for programming variety or for singers who thrive on contrasting musical moods. The included rhythm section parts transform what could be piano-only rehearsal into something that swings.

These are songs built for pleasure: buoyant, clever, and designed to make an audience smile. The swing accompaniment and playful harmonies create an energy that's lighter than classical choral work but sophisticated enough to respect the singers performing it. You'll find yourself conducting with lift and watching your singers' faces brighten as they move through the material.

Any SATB choir that wants to program accessible yet musically substantial material from the Great American Songbook. This octavo works particularly well for groups with some blend and intonation foundation but doesn't require advanced singers to deliver impact. It's equally at home in a concert setting or a pops-focused program where jazz-inflected arrangements are expected.

• Balance the jazz voicings by keeping the inner parts clear; these harmonies tell a story, and muddy chords lose the composers' wit.
• Approach the lyrics with the theatrical ease they deserve—these aren't sacred pieces, so encourage your singers to find personality in the phrasing rather than pushing for a formal choral sound.
• Use the recorded accompaniment in rehearsal to internalize the swing feel before attempting rhythmic precision; hearing the groove first builds confidence faster than counting.
• Shape the dynamics across each phrase rather than singing at a single level; the pop arranging style benefits from expressive swells that highlight the song structure.

Program this pairing in a spring or fall concert where lighter material provides contrast to more serious works, or use it as the anchor of an entire pops-themed concert. The two-song format works well as a single five-to-seven-minute performance slot, giving your audience variety within one piece and giving your choir the satisfaction of completing a substantial musical statement. Consider performing it early in the concert where the upbeat energy can set a welcoming tone.

• Jazz phrasing and rhythmic flexibility within a swung context
• Balancing lyrical clarity with ensemble blend in close harmonies
• Intonation in chord extensions and altered harmonic functions
• Sustaining ensemble energy across contrasting song structures
• Connecting theatrical text delivery to musical shape and style