Theme from New York, New York: TTBB Choral Octavo

Mark Hayes' arrangement channels the swagger and sophistication of Sinatra's legendary recording while keeping the piece accessible for high school and college choirs. The included kick line finale gives singers a moment of theatrical fun that audiences love, and the variety of voicing options (TB, TTB, TBB, TTBB) means this arrangement fits nearly any TTBB ensemble without transposition or revoicing. It's a standard that programs itself and leaves singers with the confidence that comes from nailing a tune everyone recognizes.

Confident, urbane, and impossible not to smile through. The arrangement captures the song's inherent charm and theatrical polish without kitsch, inviting singers into the world of 1940s jazz while keeping the idiom fresh and performable by modern ensembles. There's a swagger in the rhythm and warmth in the harmony that makes singers feel like they're part of something cool and timeless.

TTBB choirs at the high school and college level looking for a crowd-pleasing jazz standard that doesn't sacrifice musical substance. This arrangement works equally well for advanced treble choirs using the TTB or TB voicing options, and it's an excellent choice for concert programs that need to balance legitimate choral literature with approachable popular music.

• Invest in the recorded accompaniment to capture the swing feel and rhythmic precision that define the arrangement. The accompaniment establishes the jazz vernacular that makes this piece sing.
• Balance the melody across sections rather than featuring the highest voice exclusively. In jazz-influenced writing, the arrangement's sophistication depends on clarity of inner lines and rhythmic cohesion between all four parts.
• Shape the lyrical moments (the verse sections) with legit vocal production and emotional restraint. The contrast between introspective verses and the brash energy of the chorus is what makes the final kick line land with impact.
• Rehearse the kick line as choreography, not just a rhythmic passage. This moment is about style and showmanship, so commit to the physicality and commit to the comedic spirit Kander and Hayes built in.

Program this as a concert closer or second-to-last piece on a mixed repertoire show. The immediate recognition and infectious energy create a high that audiences leave humming, making it ideal for sending people out happy. It also pairs beautifully in a program that includes other American songbook standards or Broadway selections, letting you build a thematic evening around the golden age of American musical theater.

• Reading and executing swing rhythm and jazz articulation
• Singing in a jazz idiom with appropriate phrasing and dynamic control
• Balancing four independent lines in a homophonic texture
• Interpreting musical style markings and performance directions specific to jazz performance
• Coordinate singing with choreography (kick line finale)