That's Entertainment: SATB Choral Octavo
Words by Howard Dietz, music by Arthur Schwartz / arr. Greg Gilpin
Item: 00-PO-0004358
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
One moment…
Description
It's the quintessential "show business" song, a real showstopper so spectacular that it was used as the theme of MGM Studios' motion picture tribute to the great American Hollywood musicals. And the lyrics! Can they get any better than this? This arrangement includes additional verses which can be used as a "closer" performance.
That's Entertainment: SATB Choral Octavo isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0004358
More about this title
About the Composer: Arthur Schwartz
Arthur Schwartz (1900-1984) was a prolific composer of musical theater who shaped the sound of Broadway and Hollywood during the Golden Age. His collaborations with lyricist Howard Dietz produced some of the era's most enduring songs, marked by sophisticated harmonies and melodies that balanced accessibility with genuine musical substance. Schwartz's work for film and stage demonstrates a gift for writing music that serves the story while remaining memorable enough to outlast the productions themselves.
Why we love this
Greg Gilpin's arrangement captures the swagger and wit of the original while making it genuinely singable for SATB choirs. The inclusion of additional verses gives you a built-in closer that lands with theatrical confidence, and the recorded accompaniment lets you focus rehearsal time on blend, diction, and the joy of performing a song that audiences already love.
What to expect
The song exudes the glamour and optimism of Old Hollywood, full of theatrical flair and good humor. Singing it feels like stepping onto a stage, backed by energy and style that makes any choir sound more polished than it might be.
Who it's for
SATB choirs at the intermediate to advanced level who want a showstopper with genuine Broadway polish. This works equally well for concert choirs, pop vocal ensembles, and show choir programs looking for a standard that feels fresh.
How to get the most out of it
- Treat the text conversationally, especially in the listing of entertainments. The humor lands when singers deliver the lyrics with personality rather than pure vocal beauty.
- Balance the harmonic color carefully in the jazz chords typical of this era. Voicing clarity matters more than power.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to establish the groove, then work toward independence so the choir can breathe together and shape phrases naturally.
- Shape the additional verses toward a real climax. The arrangement gives you the tools to build momentum into your final statement.
How to use it
Program this as a concert finale or as part of a musical theater-themed concert. The recorded accompaniment makes it practical for pops events or community performances where rehearsal time is limited. The additional verses position it perfectly as a show-closing number that sends the audience out happy.
Skills your students will build
- Rhythmic precision in swing-influenced jazz idioms
- Diction and character in comedic text delivery
- Harmonic independence within jazz voicings
- Phrasing and musicality in a theatrical context
- Ensemble balance across SATB parts