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

Shaw pairs two certified American songwriting classics with jazz harmonies that sound sophisticated without demanding advanced vocal technique. The SSA voicing opens these standards to younger or smaller ensembles, and the optional SoundTrax accompaniment keeps the energy swinging without requiring a live rhythm section.

Bright, urbane, and unapologetically fun. These arrangements capture the wit and elegance of their original sources while swinging freely with easy charm. Singers feel both the sophistication of jazz voicing and the pure delight of singing beloved melodies.

SSA ensembles at the middle school through college level who want to build confidence with jazz harmony and classic Broadway material. Directors seeking accessible yet musically sophisticated entertainment pieces will find these two songs work equally well in casual settings or formal concerts.

• Let the recorded accompaniment drive the rhythmic pocket; your singers shouldn't fight or rush against it. They'll find their phrasing naturally sits in the groove once they trust the tempo.
• Shape the lyrics with specificity. These songs live on personality and storytelling, so encourage singers to commit emotionally to the playful text.
• Balance the harmonic colors in the middle voices. Shaw's jazz voicings reward clear voice leading, so listen for the inner parts during rehearsal.

Pair these standards on a pops concert or cabaret-style event where the charm and humor of each piece can shine. They're also ideal for spring concerts that blend classic Americana with contemporary energy, or as a closing number that sends audiences out smiling.

• Reading and singing jazz harmony in functional progressions
• Maintaining steady rhythm and groove against a rhythmic accompaniment
• Blending into jazz voicings with attention to inner-voice balance
• Phrasing and articulation in a swing style
• Connecting character and storytelling to musical interpretation