They All Laughed: SATB Choral Octavo

Mark Hayes has captured the effervescence of this Gershwin gem without losing the sophisticated jazz harmonies that make it stand out from typical pop arrangements. The stride piano accompaniment is genuinely fun to play, and the piece lands with immediate charm, your singers will feel the energy, and your audience recognizes it instantly.

Effervescent and conversational, with the kind of clever wit that makes you smile as you sing. The arrangement dances, light on its feet, harmonically sophisticated, but never precious or overly complicated.

Choirs at the intermediate level and above will find this arrangement accessible without being simplistic. It works beautifully for groups looking to program something with genuine American songbook credentials that still connects with modern audiences who know the Lady Gaga/Tony Bennett version.

• Balance the brightness of the text with subtle dynamic shaping; the wit in these lyrics lands best when delivered with precision rather than oversold enthusiasm.
• Let the recorded accompaniment establish the stride piano groove first, then have your singers lock their articulation to those rhythmic patterns before rehearsing without it.
• Emphasize the Gershwin-era diction and phrasing; this isn't contemporary pop, and the charm lives in a slightly retro delivery.
• Highlight any sections where the four parts move in different rhythmic directions; these moments create the effervescent quality Hayes built into the voicing.

Pair this with other Great American Songbook standards for a concert that celebrates jazz-inflected melody and vintage cool. It's ideal for spring concerts or any program where you want a moment of pure charm that showcases both your singers' sophistication and your accompanist's musicianship.

• Phrasing and articulation in a jazz idiom
• Balancing four-part texture with clear individual lines
• Stylistic interpretation of Gershwin-era diction and rhythm
• Listening to and locking with a stride piano accompaniment
• Conveying narrative and character through conversational delivery