Stella By Starlight: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Victor Young / By Ned Washington / As performed by Ella Fitzgerald / Arranged by Paris Rutherford
Item: 35-PK00030673
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Description
Enjoy the timeless style and haunting harmonies of this jazz standard recorded by Ella Fitzgerald and many others. Performance Time: Approx. 3:40
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00030673
More about this title
About the Composer: Victor Young
Victor Young was a prolific film composer and orchestrator who shaped the sound of Hollywood's golden age. His gift for crafting elegant melodies and lush harmonic textures made him one of the most recorded composers of the mid-20th century, with work spanning everything from dramatic film scores to beloved jazz standards.
Young's collaboration with lyricist Ned Washington on "Stella by Starlight" produced one of the most enduring songs in the American songbook. The piece exemplifies his ability to balance sophistication with accessibility, creating music that appeals equally to casual listeners and serious musicians.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures what makes the tune so magnetic: those hanging, unresolved harmonies that pull the ear forward and the sensual melodic contour that sits beautifully in the voice. The rhythm section charts give your accompanists real jazz vocabulary to work with, grounding the piece in authentic style while your singers focus on the lyricism and phrasing that made Ella's version legendary.
What to expect
Wistful and introspective, with a melody that seems to float above complex, sophisticated harmonies. The piece has an intimate quality even in ensemble settings, evoking late-night jazz clubs and the kind of emotional openness Ella brought to every lyric.
Who it's for
Jazz choir directors and concert choir directors who want to expand their jazz repertoire with a standard that works for intermediate to advanced singers. The rhythm section parts make this ideal for ensembles with dedicated jazz accompanists or for mixed choral programs blending classical and jazz styles.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the melodic line with long phrases rather than sectional breathing; the haunting quality depends on sustained vocal momentum across the bridge and back.
- Let the rhythm section players listen to the Ella recording together before the first rehearsal. Hearing how the accompaniment sits back and breathes with the melody will inform their approach from day one.
- Pay attention to the harmonic rhythm in the A section; small tempo fluctuations from your singers will expose rhythm section coordination issues early, so lock this section tight.
- Resist the impulse to swing eighth notes too heavily on the melody; the standard sits in a space between swing and straight, and that ambiguity is part of its charm.
How to use it
Pair this with other standards or jazz arrangements for a focused jazz set within a larger concert, or feature it as a bridge between your classical season and a dedicated jazz night. At roughly 3:40, it works beautifully as a second-half opener, resetting the room's energy with sophistication and warmth.
Skills your students will build
- Swing feel and jazz articulation in vocal ensemble settings
- Phrasing over harmonic changes rather than metric phrase boundaries
- Collaborative listening between melody and rhythm section
- Interpretation of jazz standards using emotional restraint and space