The Mark Hayes Vocal Collection: Eight Favorite Duets from the Great American Songbook: Vocal Book

Hayes brings genuine sophistication to these eight standards without sacrificing singability or accessibility. His arrangements respect the melodic integrity of each song while layering in harmonic surprises and textural details that keep singers engaged and audiences entranced. Duet pairings from the Songbook repertoire are relatively rare at this polished level, making this collection a distinctive programming choice that feels both timeless and contemporary.

These arrangements inhabit the nostalgic warmth of the Songbook while introducing unexpected harmonic twists and modern textural touches that feel both sophisticated and genuine. Singing them creates a sense of rediscovering familiar classics through fresh ears, with Hayes's piano writing and orchestrations providing constant musical surprises beneath beautifully shaped vocal lines.

This collection is ideal for advanced high school and college-level vocal duos, as well as for experienced singers in church and community choir settings who want to step into the Great American Songbook with contemporary orchestrations. The writing assumes solid vocal technique, sight-reading ability, and comfort with styles ranging from jazz-inflected swing to theatrical pop.

• Balance the two vocal lines so neither dominates; Hayes typically writes them as equal partners rather than soloist and accompaniment, so listen carefully for moments where one voice should recede to support harmonic texture.
• Lean into the rhythmic precision in pieces like "I Got Rhythm" and "Singin' in the Rain." These arrangements demand crisp articulation and clear diction to land the syncopation and comic timing.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to internalize phrasing and style; Hayes's orchestrations model sophisticated interpretive choices that inform how the piano-only version should breathe.
• Shape phrases with attention to harmonic rhythm rather than purely vocal melody. Hayes frequently colors harmony in ways that support emotional arc, so follow the harmonic motion as much as the tune.

Program these duets on a concert centered around American musical theater and popular song, either as standalone numbers or woven throughout a cabaret-style evening. A single duet works equally well as an elegant break in a larger choral concert, offering both intimacy and polish. These arrangements also serve as excellent recital repertoire for upper-level voice students seeking stylistically authentic yet arrangerially inventive material.

• Stylistic flexibility across jazz, swing, and theatrical idioms
• Two-part blend and balance in duet texture
• Sight-reading of contemporary harmonic language
• Phrasing nuance in repertoire with sophisticated harmonic rhythm
• Diction clarity and rhythmic precision in syncopated passages