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The Birth of the Blues: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo

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The Birth of the Blues Cover Image
The Birth of the Blues: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo

The Birth of the Blues: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo

Arr. Carl Strommen

Level: Moderate

Item: 00-CH9674
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Description
This Broadway hit of 1926, from the great songwriting team of DeSylva, Brown and Henderson, has also been featured in numerous Hollywood motion pictures. Carl's creative arrangement captures all the jazzy nuances to maintain the original feel that has helped to make this tune a blockbuster among Broadway standards. Programming possibilities abound!

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
UPC: 029156200232
SKU: 00-CH9674

More about this title

About the Arranger: Carl Strommen

Carl Strommen

Carl Strommen has established himself as a versatile voice across multiple musical genres, with works regularly performed in concert halls, on television, and in film productions. His arrangements and original compositions for band, orchestra, jazz ensemble, and vocal music have earned him consistent recognition through the ASCAP Standard Writers Award and ongoing demand as both a clinician and commissioned composer.

Strommen holds a degree from the City College of New York and has served on the faculty at C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University as an adjunct professor of orchestration and composition. He maintains active connections to both the academic world and the professional musical community while dividing his time between Long Island and Colorado.

Why we love this

Strommen's arrangement preserves the swagger and syncopation of this 1926 standard while remaining accessible for intermediate choirs. The three-part SAB voicing gives singers authentic jazz phrasing without overwhelming them with complex harmonic writing, making this an ideal selection for ensembles seeking repertoire with genuine popular music credibility.

What to expect

The piece swings with the elegance of 1920s Broadway glamour, complete with bluesy harmonic touches that evoke smoky jazz clubs and vaudeville stages. Singers feel the sophisticated rhythmic complexity of jazz phrasing while the accessible three-part writing lets them focus on capturing the style's relaxed, conversational quality.

Who it's for

Intermediate choirs seeking substantial popular music literature that sounds genuinely jazzy without demanding advanced vocal technique. Directors programming Broadway standards or building a concert that celebrates American songbook classics will find this arrangement both musically rewarding and audience-friendly.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the phrases with the swing feel intact; avoid over-legit treatment of what is fundamentally a jazz number. Let the natural rhythm of the language guide your phrasing decisions.
  • Balance the parts carefully so that the melody remains audible through the supporting voices. SAB scoring can obscure the tune if the altos aren't singing with purpose.
  • Lean into the blues inflections and minor-key moments that give this piece its character. These aren't mistakes or "wrong notes"; they're essential to the arrangement's style.
  • Recorded accompaniment is available and provides excellent reference for tempo and feel. Use it during rehearsal to lock in the groove your choir should be creating.

How to use it

This arrangement fits naturally into a concert celebrating Great American Songwriting or a program exploring jazz and popular music influences in choral literature. Its moderate difficulty and theatrical charm make it an excellent choice for mid-concert placement, where it can energize the audience and shift the mood from classical to popular repertoire.

Skills your students will build

  • Jazz phrasing and swing articulation
  • Blues inflections and non-standard harmonic movement
  • Balancing parts in three-part SAB texture
  • Interpreting style-specific dynamic shaping and rhythmic flexibility

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