The Way You Make Me Feel: TBB Choral Octavo

Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures the infectious joy of this track while making it genuinely singable for mixed voices. The flexible voicing (TB/TTB/TBB/TTBB) means you can program this with almost any combination of male singers, and the eight-page format stays manageable for learning timelines. Students rarely resist material this energetic, and the rhythmic precision the arrangement demands builds real musicianship.

Upbeat and buoyant, with the kind of rhythmic swagger that makes singers move. The piece radiates warmth and accessibility, never losing sight of the groove that made the original unforgettable. There's real energy here, yet the arrangement keeps everything within reach for student musicians.

Choirs seeking contemporary material that connects with student singers while maintaining musical substance. The flexible voicing works for groups still building male voice sections or those with uneven voice distributions. This arrangement suits concert settings where programming contemporary pop sits comfortably alongside other repertoire.

• Emphasize the groove pocket by locking the internal rhythm sections (backup vocal layers) before adding the melody. This piece lives in its pulse.
• Work the backup vocal lines independently first. They carry countermelodic material that deserves clarity, not just harmonic support.
• Keep articulation light and forward on the repeated syllables and ad libs. Over-singing these moments flattens the character.
• Find the song's dynamic center rather than pushing to forte immediately. The best performances build intensity gradually, which the arrangement clearly maps out.

This works beautifully as a second-half pick-me-up in a concert program, especially after a more formal or classical set. It also functions well as a showcase piece for a pops concert or as part of a program exploring how contemporary music translates to vocal ensemble settings. Consider programming it near the end of your rehearsal cycle when singers have developed the rhythmic confidence to nail the groove.

• Rhythmic precision in syncopated pop idioms
• Layering multiple vocal lines to create texture and countermelody
• Dynamic control and phrasing in contemporary vocal writing
• Ensemble blend while maintaining rhythmic clarity
• Performing with energy and style without sacrificing musicianship