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

Mark Hayes transforms two Berlin standards into a single, cohesive swing performance that works across age ranges and voice configurations without losing an ounce of style or sophistication. The arrangement captures the energy of classic entertainment while remaining singable for real choirs, and the built-in cultural references give your musicians genuine performance material rather than a novelty piece.

Polished elegance wrapped in an infectious groove. The swing style carries you forward while the sophistication of Berlin's melody keeps the piece memorable. Singers feel like they are performing material that matters, not filler.

Conductors with mixed voice ensembles looking for repertoire with genuine entertainment value, men's choirs seeking material that swings without apology, and any director whose singers and audience thrive on the personality that comes from well-crafted American standards. This works equally well as a concert feature or a community theater centerpiece.

• Nail the articulation in the swing feel; Berlin's melodies sit comfortably on the voice only when the rhythmic placement lands with precision and ease, not forced.
• The transition between the two songs deserves rehearsal time. Make it seamless enough that the audience hears it as one unified piece, not two separate tunes.
• If choreography enters the picture, keep the vocal line clear and confident. Movement should enhance the performance, not compete with what the singers are doing musically.
• Lean into the instrumental pak's accompaniment to nail your ensemble's internal balance; let the rhythm section guide the cohesion of the full group.

Place this in a second half devoted to American songbook or entertainment standards, where it can anchor a themed group or stand alone as a high-energy closer. The costume and choreography possibilities make it ideal for a pops concert, spring show, or any program that celebrates the theatrical side of choral music.

• Swing rhythm articulation and feel
• Managing key and meter transitions within a medley structure
• Blend and balance in ensemble singing over a full rhythm section
• Interpretation of jazz inflection and phrasing in a choral context
• Coordination of movement with vocal line and accompaniment