Something's Gotta Give: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

Jay Althouse's arrangement brings swagger and ensemble sophistication to this Mercer standard without overcomplicating it. The piece sits comfortably for mixed choirs seeking repertoire that sounds more polished than the skill level required to execute it, giving singers the satisfying experience of making real music.

A swinging, sophisticated take on a mid-century pop standard that feels both retro and timeless. The arrangement has warmth and harmonic richness without the complexity that would bog down a young or developing ensemble.

Mixed choirs and pop choir ensembles at the high school level and above who want a recognizable standard with accessible voicing and genuine jazz idiom. The arrangement works equally well for concert settings and smaller coffeehouse-style performances.

• Establish the jazz swing feel early in rehearsal by listening to recorded accompaniment together; emphasize the lilting quality of jazz eighth notes rather than straight rhythms.
• Balance the melody line between sections while keeping inner harmonies clear, especially during the sustained passages where block harmony can easily muddy.
• Work the lyrical phrasing in phrases of 2-4 bars rather than measure-by-measure, allowing the text to breathe and avoiding choppy interpretations.
• Use the recorded accompaniment as your rehearsal anchor, but rehearse without it occasionally to ensure the choir owns the harmonic structure independently.

Pair this with other Mercer standards or classic American songbook selections for a "Great American Songbook" concert segment. Its upbeat character and jazz sensibility make it ideal as a contrast piece on a concert that includes more dramatic or contemporary choral works.

• Swing eighth-note interpretation and jazz phrasing
• Balancing melody and harmonic support in block voicing
• Lyrical diction in the context of jazz standards
• Ensemble blend across four-part mixed voicing
• Following harmonic structure without relying solely on recorded accompaniment