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

Shaw's arrangement captures the conversational ease and rhythmic sophistication of these two Gershwin and Cole Porter standards without overcomplicating them. The jazz harmonies feel organic rather than imposed, and the lyrics remain crystal clear even as the voicing moves through unexpected chord changes. This is Shaw at his best: respecting the source material while giving choirs something genuinely fun to rehearse and perform.

Charming and playful, with the elegant sophistication of mid-century Broadway filtered through a modern choral lens. The sweet jazz harmonies sparkle against the straightforward melodies, and the recorded accompaniment swings hard enough to make the choir feel transported to a supper club rather than a concert stage.

Choirs seeking accessible yet stylistically sophisticated material drawn from American musical theater. This works equally well for community and school ensembles with solid diction and moderate vocal jazz experience, or as an introduction to swing and Great American Songbook standards for singers with stronger classical training.

• Lock the rhythm section feel early in rehearsal by having the choir snap or conduct the backbeat with the recorded accompaniment before learning any pitches.
• Shape the phrasing as if you're speaking conversationally rather than singing formally; these songs live in the space between jazz inflection and theatrical delivery.
• Balance the upper voices carefully during harmonic movement to prevent the jazz voicings from sounding muddy or unclear.
• Work dynamics in sections rather than as a full chorus first; each phrase has its own energy arc that Shaw has built into the arrangement.

Program this alongside other American Songbook standards or contemporary jazz arrangements to create a cohesive set within a larger concert. The pairing of two contrasting but complementary songs makes it ideal for a variety show, pops concert, or any program celebrating musical theater's golden age.

• Reading and executing jazz voicings and extended harmonies
• Sustaining rhythmic precision in swing style with recorded accompaniment
• Balancing independent voice parts while maintaining harmonic blend
• Performing with stylistic nuance in the Great American Songbook idiom