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

Mark Hayes has threaded two Berlin classics into one arrangement that rewards singers without overwhelming them. The medley structure lets you build energy across the piece while the varied voicings keep interest alive for all five parts, and the 15-page length sits in the sweet spot for contest prep or concert programming without demanding months of rehearsal.

Urbane, snappy, and fun without descending into novelty. The arrangement captures the shine of 1930s showmanship while letting singers breathe and enjoy the ride. There's lightness here, but also craft: you're singing real harmony, not just echoing a tune.

Mixed choirs with solid sight readers who can handle part independence and want accessible repertoire that sounds more polished than the difficulty level suggests. This arrangement suits high school and college groups equally well, as does the pop-standards context for concert or competition settings.

• Nail the style distinction between the soft-shoe swagger of 'Steppin' Out' and the punchy glitz of 'Ritz.' The shift needs to feel intentional, not accidental.
• Lock the rhythm section into swing articulation early. The piano and bass set the groove that lets the voices sit into it naturally.
• Balance the top line against the lower voicings in both sections. Hayes likely gives melodic interest across the parts; resist letting one voice dominate.
• Work the transition between songs separately before joining them. A clean pivot keeps momentum and sets up the finale.

Open a concert with this to set a sophisticated, swinging tone, or close the first half with it to leave the audience smiling. It pairs naturally alongside other American songbook standards or as the jazz-inflected contrast in a mixed classical and contemporary program.

• Swing articulation and jazz phrasing
• Independent part singing across five voices
• Medley transitions and tonal continuity
• Stylistic contrast within a single arrangement
• Interpretation of written dynamics and expression marks for period authenticity