The Longest Time (arr. Tom Gentry): SSAA Choral Octavo
The Longest Time (arr. Tom Gentry) Sheet Music Preview

The Longest Time (arr. Tom Gentry): SSAA Choral Octavo

As performed by Billy Joel / Arranged by Tom Gentry

Item: 35-DS00451693
Digital Download
$3.20
Description

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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 5
SKU: 35-DS00451693

More about this title

About the Artist: Billy Joel

Billy Joel is a pianist and singer-songwriter whose career spans five decades of popular music across multiple genres. His work combines accessible melodies with sophisticated harmonic language, earning him recognition as one of America's most performed composers in both concert halls and casual settings.

Why we love this

Tom Gentry's arrangement transforms this earnest 1983 ballad into a barbershop vehicle that actually honors the song's emotional core while giving your choir genuine four-part writing to sink their teeth into. The voicing sits comfortably for mixed ensembles, and the genre framework invites your singers to explore that characteristic barbershop sound without requiring extensive stylistic training.

What to expect

Intimate and earnest. The arrangement preserves the song's quiet sincerity while surrounding it with warm harmonic support that feels both familiar and richly textured. You're not performing a novelty; you're offering a carefully crafted interpretation of a song built on genuine emotion.

Who it's for

Choirs looking to expand beyond traditional barbershop fare into contemporary popular song, or groups already grounded in barbershop style who want an accessible entry point for newer singers. This works equally well for high school and community ensembles seeking secular repertoire with genuine musical substance.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the lead voice carefully; this tune lives in the melody, so resist the urge to let the supporting voices overwhelm it during the harmonic passages.
  • Commit fully to the barbershop seventh chords and target those characteristic resonances. Half-hearted voice leading defeats the genre.
  • The emotional restraint of this song matters as much as its harmonic richness. Encourage singers to sit with the vulnerability rather than oversell the arrangement.

How to use it

This fits naturally into a concert segment devoted to American popular song or as a bridge between jazz and barbershop repertoire. The five-page length makes it realistic for rehearsal time, and its approachable style pairs well alongside lighter secular works without sacrificing musical credibility.

Skills your students will build

  • Barbershop seventh chord intonation and resonance
  • Singing in close harmony without blend collapse
  • Maintaining emotional authenticity in arranged popular song
  • Balancing lead melody with supporting harmonic voices

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