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

Mark Hayes captures the infectious energy of these two Berlin classics without oversimplifying them, giving SATB singers genuine musical lines that interweave with style and purpose. This arrangement straddles the line between accessible and musically substantial, making it ideal for groups that want to sound polished and contemporary without abandoning choral traditions.

Bright, urbane, and perpetually swinging. These tunes sparkle with the elegance of pre-war Manhattan, full of sophisticated charm and the kind of rhythmic lift that makes audiences lean forward in their seats. Hayes's arrangement captures both songs' sense of confidence and joy, the feeling of getting dressed up and heading out for a night on the town.

This works for jazz ensembles, show choirs, and traditional SATB groups looking to expand beyond classical repertoire without sacrificing musicianship. It suits singers who have basic blend and intonation under control and are ready to engage with popular music arrangements that demand serious vocal technique.

• Balance the jazz swing feel against clear diction; these standards live or die on rhythmic precision and crisp articulation, especially in moments where text overlaps between sections.
• Shape the melodic line with the maturity the standard demands. Resist pushing tempo; let the groove breathe and the lyrics land.
• Reference recordings of these tunes in their original jazz settings to understand the stylistic context. Singers who know what Astaire brought to these songs will find deeper interpretive choices.
• Pay attention to the transition between the two songs; Hayes likely crafted this moment intentionally, so rehearse the shift without losing momentum.

Program this in a concert that balances classical and contemporary repertoire, where it can anchor a set of American standards or bridge into a pops segment. It works equally well as a closing number to lift the energy of your concert or positioned mid-program to shift mood and remind audiences why they love hearing these timeless melodies.

• Swing rhythm and syncopation in jazz styles
• Stylistic interpretation of popular song standards
• Balancing rhythmic precision with lyrical phrasing
• Blend and balance in complex harmonic textures
• Musicianship across different genres and historical periods