Steppin' Out With My Baby (with "Puttin' On The Ritz") (arr. Mark Hayes): SAB Choral Octavo

Mark Hayes' arrangement captures the infectious energy and playful sophistication of two Berlin standards in one package, giving choirs a chance to perform sophisticated material that audiences genuinely love. The SAB voicing keeps the part-writing accessible without sacrificing the jazz inflections and harmonic color that make these songs swing.

Urbane, upbeat, and playful. These songs move with the sleek confidence of a well-dressed performer taking the stage, mixing jazz swagger with vaudeville charm. The arrangement glides between sophisticated harmonic moments and straightforward fun, never losing its sense of style.

Choirs performing at pops concerts, cabaret settings, or light entertainment programs will find this arrangement both vocally rewarding and audience-friendly. Directors seeking material that feels contemporary in spirit while drawing from genuine musical sophistication will appreciate what Hayes has done here.

• Lock in the rhythmic precision on the syncopated passages; Berlin's melodies rely on tight ensemble timing to land the comic and musical moments.
• Explore the recorded accompaniment as a reference for the jazz articulation and phrasing, particularly where the parts interact with the rhythm section.
• Balance the vocal melody against the harmonic foundation so the cleverness of the lyrics comes through without overshadowing the singers' musicality.
• Shape the transitions between the two standards to feel like a seamless medley; the contrast between them sharpens both pieces.

Pair this with other standards or contemporary pop arrangements to build a full pops or variety concert, or use it as the entertainment piece that keeps audiences smiling after more serious repertoire. The piece works equally well as a show-closer or as a moment of levity in the middle of a program.

• Jazz articulation and phrasing (swing eighths, syncopation)
• Rhythmic precision in syncopated ensemble passages
• Harmonic awareness in close voicing
• Stylistic interpretation of American songbook material
• Part independence while maintaining blend