Someone to Watch Over Me: SSA Choral Octavo

Jay Althouse's arrangement preserves the song's intimate character while giving SSA choirs real musical substance to work with. The inclusion of the verse transforms this from a one-dimensional hit into a complete arc, moving from quiet introspection to the soaring warmth of the chorus. Gershwin's harmonic sophistication shines through without overwhelming singers at this level.

Tender and protective. The verse unfolds like a quiet confession, with delicate harmonies supporting the vulnerability in the melody. When the chorus arrives, warmth blooms but never loses its gentleness, creating a piece that feels both timeless and intimate.

SSA choirs with solid intonation and the ability to blend three parts cleanly. This arrangement works for high school ensembles and community choirs alike, especially those looking to program sophisticated popular music that respects both singer and listener.

• Shape the verse with understated dynamics and clear text projection; this section establishes the emotional foundation that makes the chorus land with full impact.
• Balance the three voice parts so no single line dominates; the beauty lies in how the voices weave together, not in featuring any one part.
• Allow rubato in the chorus, particularly on the phrase that gives the song its title. This is a moment to breathe and shape, not to lock into strict time.
• Let the recorded accompaniment guide your ensemble's sense of swing and jazz inflection; the rhythm section's feel matters as much as note accuracy here.

This belongs on a concert alongside other Great American Songbook standards or as a bridge between classical and contemporary repertoire. Its modest length and emotional directness make it ideal for a program that needs a moment of pure lyricism, or as a contrast to more energetic choral fare. The verse-chorus structure also makes it useful when you want to demonstrate song form to your singers.

• Blending three voices with independence and balance
• Singing jazz-inflected harmonies with accurate intonation
• Interpreting rubato and phrasing in a song-based context
• Understanding verse-chorus form and how to differentiate character between sections
• Expressing vulnerability and lyricism through controlled dynamics