Taking a Chance on Love: SSA Choral Octavo

Kirby Shaw's arrangement honors the swing idiom without demanding jazz specialists. The contrapuntal voices give singers genuine harmonic interest while the rhythms stay grounded enough for a committed high school or community choir to nail in rehearsal. You get the authentic jazz feel, the recorded horn section if you want it, and a piece that audiences recognize and love.

Upbeat and playful, with that unmistakable Tin Pan Alley swagger. The tune bounces with optimism; the harmonies sparkle with jazz color; and the text winks at the audience. This is jazz singing that feels conversational and spontaneous, never stiff or overly technical. When it lands, the room feels the joy of taking chances.

Any choir with singers who can handle independent voice lines and want to explore the jazz standard tradition. High school choirs at the intermediate level and above, community choruses, and small college ensembles will all find something rewarding here. This is ideal for groups looking to build confidence in the jazz idiom without needing a specialized vocal jazz program.

• Lock the rhythmic feel early. The swung eighth-notes are essential to the style; if the rhythm section pushes or drags, the whole arrangement loses its pocket. Run the opening chorus with just piano and bass to establish the groove before layering voices.
• Balance the contrapuntal lines carefully. When multiple voice parts move independently, clarity matters more than blend. Ask singers to think "solo voice in a section" rather than fusing into the whole.
• Lean into the lyrics. The wit of LaTouche's words lands best when singers articulate consonants crisply and shape the phrasing like they're telling a joke. This isn't a ballad; it swings because singers commit to the story.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to establish style reference. Even if you perform with live piano, hearing the SoundPax once or twice helps singers internalize what "swingin'" actually means in this context.

Open a pops or jazz-focused concert with this piece to set an energetic, accessible tone. It pairs well with other Kirby Shaw arrangements or other mid-century jazz standards, building a set that celebrates American song. You could also use it as a spring concert or cabaret finale, where its optimistic spirit sends audiences home smiling.

• swung rhythm and jazz articulation
• reading and balancing contrapuntal voice lines
• interpreting lyrics with character and intent
• listening to and locking with rhythm section grooves
• vocal jazz tone and phrasing