The Light In The Piazza (Choral Highlights) (arr. John Purifoy): SAB Choral Octavo

Purifoy's arrangement captures the lyricism and warmth of Bartlett's score while respecting the limitations and strengths of SAB voicing. The 31-page collection gives you substantial musical content without overwhelming singers who may be less experienced with complex harmonic language, and the Broadway-classical hybrid styling offers something genuinely different from standard concert repertoire.

Luminous and intimate. These highlights carry the tenderness of Bartlett's orchestral writing into the choral space, evoking the romantic Italian setting that frames the story. The SAB voicing allows singers to focus on the songlike quality rather than navigating dense counterpoint.

Choirs seeking concert programming that bridges classical and musical theatre traditions will find this collection approachable yet musically rewarding. It works well for high school, community, and developing collegiate ensembles where singers benefit from straightforward voice leading alongside quality material.

• Balance the soprano line against the alto and bass parts, which often carry supporting harmonies. In SAB writing, clarity comes from letting each voice function independently rather than blending everything into a single mass.
• Lean into the romantic phrasing suggested by the vocal melody. This music lives in lyrical space, so encourage singers to shape phrases with legit vowels and sustained breath rather than detached diction.
• Pay attention to any key changes between movements. Transitioning smoothly between the arranged selections requires sectional rehearsal that addresses both the musical mood shift and any technical adjustments to range or comfort.

Include this as a standalone concert feature or as the centerpiece of a thematic program exploring music from musical theatre. The collection works particularly well in spring concerts where audiences appreciate tuneful, accessible material that still demonstrates artistic depth.

• Singing sustained legit lines across longer phrases
• Balancing independent voice parts in three-part writing
• Interpreting Broadway-influenced musical theatre style within a choral context
• Managing transitions between multiple selections and key areas
• Connecting to storytelling and romantic character in contemporary and classical music