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That's Entertainment: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

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That's Entertainment Cover Image

That's Entertainment: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

Words by Howard Dietz, music by Arthur Schwartz / arr. Alan Billingsley

Item: 00-A-00016368

$29.99
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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-A-00016368

More about this title

About the Composer: Howard Dietz

Howard Dietz (1896-1983) was a lyricist and librettist whose wit and sophistication defined the golden age of American musical theater. Writing primarily with composer Arthur Schwartz, Dietz created songs that balanced clever wordplay with genuine emotional depth, establishing a standard for smart entertainment that remains unmatched. His work appeared in Broadway shows, Hollywood films, and revue productions that shaped popular music culture from the 1920s through the 1950s.

For music educators, Dietz's legacy offers something increasingly rare: lyrics that reward careful listening and reveal new meanings with repeated performances. His melodies sit beautifully in the voice, and the sophistication of his language challenges choral singers to articulate ideas with precision and nuance.

Why we love this

This arrangement captures the elegance and theatrical flair that made the Dietz-Schwartz partnership legendary, while remaining fully achievable by school and community choirs. Alan Billingsley's treatment respects the song's inherent charm without overselling it; the result feels both polished and genuinely fun to perform.

What to expect

Sophisticated without pretension, playful without becoming frivolous. The song radiates the polished charm of classic Broadway, with harmonies that feel both familiar and surprising, capturing a moment when American popular music valued both intelligence and entertainment in equal measure.

Who it's for

This octavo works for intermediate to advanced choirs seeking accessible Great American Songbook material with genuine theatrical substance. It's ideal for concert programs, pops events, or mixed repertoire sets where you want a piece that appeals to audiences while still offering singers something meaningful to dig into.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the vocal line with the recorded accompaniment by rehearsing without it first, establishing clear phrase shapes and lyrical intention before layering in the track.
  • Pay attention to diction throughout, especially in moments where Dietz's wordplay lands hardest; crisp articulation transforms good performances into ones that sparkle.
  • Shape the dynamics to follow the emotional arc of the lyric rather than relying on the arrangement alone; this song rewards singers who understand what they're singing about.
  • Allow the harmonic sophistication to breathe in slower sections; resist the urge to rush, and let the recorded accompaniment support your singers' musical storytelling.

How to use it

Consider pairing this with other Dietz-Schwartz favorites or broader Great American Songbook selections for a concert celebrating classic musical theater. It also serves beautifully as a lighter programming choice alongside more dramatic or complex pieces, offering your audience a moment of genuine joy without sacrificing musical substance.

Skills your students will build

  • Performing with recorded accompaniment while maintaining independent musicality
  • Articulating clever, fast-moving text with clarity and character
  • Balancing jazz harmonies and theatrical phrasing
  • Shaping longer musical lines through understanding lyrical meaning

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