That Man (arr. Roel Griffioen): SSMMAA Choral Octavo

Griffioen's arrangement captures the sultry, sophisticated character of the original while unlocking the piece for a cappella voices. The writing balances accessible harmonic language with genuine jazz inflection, giving singers something real to sink their teeth into without demanding an unrealistic skill level.

Sultry and urbane, with the kind of rhythmic ease that only happens when a skilled arranger understands both the source material and how voices move. There's vintage glamour underneath the pop production, a warmth that makes the modernist harmonies land without feeling cold or academic.

Choirs seeking contemporary pop material with harmonic sophistication will find a strong fit here. The SSMMAA voicing accommodates ensembles that can't accommodate traditional SATB, while the a cappella texture removes the accompaniment barrier many groups face.

• Lock the vocal line entrances early in rehearsal. Rhythmic precision with the staggered voice parts creates the arrangement's forward momentum.
• Shape the alto and mezzo lines with the same attention you'd give to a jazz rhythm section. These voices set the harmonic and rhythmic foundation that everything else builds on.
• Commit to a slight swagger in the phrasing. This song lives in the space between straight notation and the conversational feel of the original recording.
• Balance the sopranos sparingly. They're not carrying the melody; they're coloring the texture. Restraint here allows the full chord voicings to bloom.

Program this as a set piece for a concert celebrating cross-genre arranging or as a tonal palate cleanser between heavier classical works. It also works beautifully in a pop/jazz showcase, where its sophisticated production will distinguish your ensemble from groups working with more obvious material.

• Reading staggered, syncopated rhythms across six voices
• Tuning complex jazz harmonies without instrumental support
• Balancing independent voice lines while maintaining ensemble cohesion
• Vocal flexibility and stylistic phrasing in contemporary idiom
• Blend and balance in non-traditional voicing configurations (six women's voices)