Sweet Georgia Brown: SATB Choral Octavo
Words and music by Ben Bernie, Maceo Pinkard, and Kenneth Casey / arr. Greg Jasperse
Item: 00-PO-0001948
$2.00
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
One moment…
Description
First heard in 1925, this jazz standard still swings! A blast for serious vocal jazz groups that is well worth the effort.
Sweet Georgia Brown: SATB Choral Octavo isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
16
SKU:
00-PO-0001948
More about this title
About the Composer: Ben Bernie
Ben Bernie (1891–1943) was a violinist, bandleader, and composer who helped define the sound of 1920s jazz and dance music. His ability to craft memorable melodies and his savvy for what audiences wanted made him a fixture on Broadway, in film, and on the radio. "Sweet Georgia Brown," co-written with lyricists Maceo Pinkard and Kenneth Casey, became one of the era's most enduring standards and remains a cornerstone of the jazz repertoire.
Bernie's compositions bridge the worlds of pop song and jazz, making them accessible yet rhythmically sophisticated. For choral musicians, his work offers a window into how American popular music developed its character during the early 20th century.
Why we love this
Greg Jasperse's arrangement gives serious vocal jazz groups exactly what they need: genuine swing feel, independent voice writing that keeps everyone engaged, and the kind of rhythmic sophistication that rewards rehearsal time. The piece respects both the tune's classic identity and modern vocal jazz practice, making it a smart choice for programs that want to showcase your choir's ability to lock into a groove.
What to expect
Swinging, sophisticated, and endlessly fun. The arrangement captures the effervescence of 1920s jazz while giving modern singers room to breathe and groove. The harmonic palette feels familiar yet never predictable, and there's a lightness to the whole thing that makes you want to move.
Who it's for
This arrangement is designed for choirs with some jazz vocabulary and rhythmic maturity. You'll need singers who can handle independent lines, swing phrasing, and the kind of precision that jazz requires, making it ideal for a dedicated vocal jazz ensemble or an advanced mixed choir with jazz experience.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythm section into a consistent pulse from the start. The groove is your foundation; everything else builds from there.
- Encourage singers to think of swing eighth notes rather than straight eighths. The lilt in the melody and harmonies depends on this jazz phrasing.
- Balance the voice parts so the harmonic movement stays clear even when the arrangement gets dense. Jazz voicings can muddy quickly without careful dynamic control.
- Use the recorded accompaniment in rehearsal to internalize the swing feel, then gradually reduce your reliance on it to build the choir's independent confidence.
How to use it
Pair this with other jazz standards or American songbook pieces to build a jazz-focused segment of a concert. It works well as a showcase piece in the second half of a program where you've already established your choir's classical chops and want to pivot toward something with more swagger. The piece is also a natural fit for spring concerts or any program celebrating American music traditions.
Skills your students will build
- Swing phrasing and jazz articulation
- Singing independent voice lines in jazz harmony
- Ensemble lock with rhythm section instruments
- Dynamic balance in four-part voicings
- Interpretation of jazz standards and popular music styles