The Man I Love: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

Mark Hayes's arrangement captures what makes this standard endure: a melody so elegant it needs little embellishment, and harmonic sophistication that works beautifully in four-part voicing. Choruses at all levels respond to Gershwin's emotional directness, and the recorded accompaniment lets singers focus on ensemble blend and interpretive nuance rather than balance issues. This is the kind of masterwork arrangement that reminds singers why they love performing.

This is tenderness without sentimentality. The melody unfolds with the ease of conversation, while the harmonies beneath it suggest quiet sophistication and genuine affection. Singing it feels like sharing something personal.

Choirs comfortable with jazz-influenced harmonies and smooth, legit singing will thrive with this arrangement. It works equally well for high school show choirs, collegiate groups, or community choruses looking to program a sophisticated standard that audiences recognize and singers enjoy.

• Shape the phrase by breathing at natural lyrical points rather than musical bar lines; let the melody dictate phrasing rather than metric structure.
• Balance is key in a Gershwin standard with lush harmonies: encourage singers to listen across parts and adjust volume so inner harmony shines without overshadowing the top line.
• Use the recorded accompaniment as a rehearsal tool early on, then practice sections without it to build independence and confidence in harmonic control.

Pair this with other Gershwin or American songbook standards for a concert exploring early 20th-century popular music, or use it to anchor a set of jazz-influenced pop arrangements. It's substantial enough to stand alone as a featured selection and flexible enough to complement almost any programming context.

• Singing jazz-influenced harmonies with accurate intonation
• Shaping long melodic lines with expressive breath placement
• Balancing four-part texture so harmony enhances rather than obscures the melody
• Interpreting a lyrical standard with emotional authenticity