They Can't Take That Away from Me: SATB Choral Octavo

Mark Hayes's arrangement captures the sophisticated ease of the Gershwin style without sacrificing the melodic charm that makes this song so beloved. The swing feel sits naturally in the parts, and the voice writing respects both ensemble sound and individual line clarity. This is exactly the kind of arrangement that lets singers feel like they're performing something substantial while staying connected to the song's conversational warmth.

Urbane, conversational, and tinged with romantic confidence. The melody moves with the casual grace of someone speaking directly to you across a room, unhurried and assured. Beneath the ease lies sophisticated harmony that rewards careful listening and gives singers something substantial to balance against the song's deceptive simplicity.

Intermediate to advanced SATB choirs with some experience singing jazz-inflected repertoire and a comfort with swing phrasing. The text is sophisticated enough to engage high school and college singers, and the arrangement works equally well in concert settings and smaller chamber configurations.

• Honor the unhurried swing feel by resisting the urge to rush; let the rhythm section (or recorded accompaniment) establish a relaxed, walking pulse that the voices sit into comfortably.
• Shape the opening melody phrase as a spoken confidence, not a wistful one. The lyric is a statement of certainty, so the initial phrases should have presence and directness.
• Balance the chords carefully so supporting voice parts don't overwhelm the featured line; Hayes's arranging technique depends on clear hierarchy, and listeners should always follow the emotional core of the text.
• Pair this with the recorded accompaniment to hear how the piano voicings and rhythm section should interact with your choir's phrasing; the groove won't lock without that reference.

This sits perfectly as a concert centerpiece or as part of a Great American Songbook program that might include other standards. The 12-page length and accessible difficulty make it a smart choice for a winter or spring concert that needs a moment of stylistic variety and warmth. Pair it with other Gershwin or Hayes arrangements to build a cohesive set.

• Swing phrasing and rhythmic interpretation in popular song
• Balancing ensemble blend with clear voice leading
• Sustaining conversational tone across longer phrases
• Understanding jazz harmony and its relationship to traditional voice writing
• Coordinate interpretation with recorded accompaniment