Taking a Chance on Love: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures everything that makes this standard endure: the swing feels natural rather than forced, the counterpoint adds sophistication without overwhelming singers at any level, and the piece swings hard whether you use piano alone or the full SoundTrax band. Directors get a piece that works equally well for a casual concert or a focused jazz recital.

Energetic and urbane. The snappy rhythms and clever melody create immediate momentum, while the contrapuntal writing adds harmonic sophistication that keeps both singers and listeners engaged. There's swagger here, but it never tips into irony or cynicism; the piece swings with genuine warmth.

Choirs with some jazz vocabulary looking for a standard that sounds polished without requiring a specialized vocal jazz ensemble. High school and community choirs will find the accessibility refreshing; the piece accommodates mixed ability levels while still offering rewarding challenges for stronger readers.

• Nail the rhythmic precision in the opening section before layering in the harmonic independence; this clarity makes the counterpoint land rather than muddy.
• Use the SoundTrax to lock the groove in ensemble sections, then pull back to piano-only for intimate moments to let the lyrics shine.
• Shape the lyrical phrases with jazz phrasing rather than classical diction; the text comes alive when singers breathe naturally with the swing rhythm.
• Balance the inner voices carefully during the contrapuntal passages so the melody remains the focal point while supporting harmonies stay voiced but light.

Open a pops concert with this one, or use it as the bridge between a classical first half and a full jazz set. The piece also works beautifully as a finale, sending the audience out with the kind of energy and style that lingers well after the last note.

• Jazz phrasing and rhythmic swing feel
• Reading and executing syncopated rhythms in four-part texture
• Balancing melody and counterpoint in ensemble singing
• Maintaining independence while blending in jazz harmony
• Lyrical diction and text delivery in a contemporary idiom