Theme from New York, New York: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Mark Hayes's arrangement captures the swagger and punch of the original without sacrificing the song's emotional core, and the addition of that signature kick line gives your singers a theatrical moment they'll love performing. The SoundTrax CD accompaniment locks in the groove while staying flexible enough for choral phrasing, making rehearsal efficient and performance polished. This is repertoire that programs itself into people's heads and reminds audiences why choral music matters.

Sophisticated, urbane, and impossible to resist. The arrangement swings with the cool confidence of a Sinatra recording while keeping the melody front and center, delivering both the nostalgia of the original and the energy of a modern pop arrangement. There's a wink in every phrase, a sense that your choir is in on the joke and fully committed to the celebration.

Choirs at the high school and beyond who want contemporary popular music with theatrical flair and professional polish. Directors seeking repertoire that appeals equally to singers and audiences without requiring instrumental accompaniment beyond the recorded track.

• Lean into the syncopation and swing feel; the rhythm section on the SoundTrax CD will guide your ensemble, but encourage singers to feel the pulse behind the beat rather than landing squarely on it.
• Balance the solo passages with the full choir carefully during rehearsal. The recorded accompaniment sits back in the mix specifically to give soloists room, so your singers don't need to oversell against it.
• Treat the kick line as a choreographic and musical climax. Build energy and precision through the final section, and coordinate the physical movement with the rhythmic precision of the ending.
• Use the full dynamic range the arrangement offers. This piece thrives on contrast between intimate verses and explosive ensemble moments.

This works beautifully as an opener or closer in a pops concert, set list, or musical theater showcase. Pair it with other standards or contemporary pop arrangements to create a full evening of familiar music, or use it as the centerpiece of a set featuring Broadway and film music. Its accessibility and fun factor make it perfect for audiences that might be new to choral music.

• Swing rhythms and syncopated phrasing in a jazz-influenced idiom
• Dynamic contrast and ensemble balance in a theatrical context
• Interpretation of musical style through the lens of the recorded accompaniment
• Coordination of choreography with precise rhythmic execution