That Man (arr. Hans Reintjes): SSAA Choral Octavo

Hans Reintjes has crafted an arrangement that respects the original's polished, jazzy sensibility while remaining practical for SSA/SSAA choirs. The piece sits comfortably for female voices and gives singers genuinely satisfying harmonic material instead of doubling the melody line throughout. Programming this offers a stylistic shift that audiences recognize immediately, making it useful for variety without sacrificing musicianship.

Sophisticated and groovy. The piece carries vintage swing and jazz influences while maintaining a modern pop sensibility, creating something that feels both current and timeless. Singers experience the satisfaction of blending smooth vocal lines over rhythmic precision.

Choirs with solid sight-reading skills and comfort with pop idioms will find this accessible and rewarding. Directors seeking contemporary pop arrangements that don't require simplified voicings or compromised musicality have found their answer.

• Emphasize the rhythm section precision from the first rehearsal. The groove depends on locking the subdivision, not rushing through it.
• Balance the top line against interior voices carefully. Reintjes writes interesting inner parts that shouldn't disappear behind a soloistic soprano.
• Use the dynamic contrasts to shape phrases rather than sustain one volume throughout. The original's sophistication lives in its quiet moments.

This works beautifully on a concert that mixes classical and contemporary repertoire, where it can anchor the pop segment without apologizing for the genre. It's substantial enough (167 pages suggests a full choral work or extended arrangement) to hold its weight alongside traditional choral fare. Consider it for a spring concert that leans toward accessible programming or a cabaret-style event where stylistic variety is the point.

• Jazz phrasing and swing rhythm feel
• Harmonic independence in SSAA texture
• Pop arrangement conventions and groove maintenance
• Ensemble balance with active interior voices