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

Strommen's setting preserves the song's intimate quality while expanding it for ensemble singing. He understands that nostalgia isn't maudlin when it's handled with this kind of restraint, and the arrangement respects both the Gershwin legacy and your singers' maturity.

Warm, reflective, and tinged with the kind of longing that doesn't demand drama. The piece settles into its harmonies like a familiar conversation, layered with sophistication but never losing sight of the simple truth at its core.

Experienced SATB choirs ready to engage with more nuanced harmonic language and emotional subtlety. This octavo asks singers to balance ensemble blend with individual vocal maturity, making it ideal for auditioned or advanced high school choirs, collegiate groups, and adult ensembles.

• Shape the opening phrases to sound conversational rather than formal; the text matters as much as the tune, so clarity of diction guides how each section lands.
• Balance the harmonic texture carefully so inner voices don't blur the melody line; Strommen's voicings are sophisticated, and muddy sound will obscure what makes them work.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock in harmonic placement and tempo, especially if your ensemble benefits from hearing the intended feel before learning without it.
• Take time with the emotional arc rather than pushing the pace; this piece reveals itself best when given room to breathe.

This works beautifully in a concert that explores American songbook standards or as a ballad that provides emotional contrast to more energetic pieces. It's also an excellent choice when you want to feature the musical maturity your singers have developed, especially later in the season when blend and intonation are solid.

• Balancing melody with inner harmony lines
• Sustaining emotional expression across a longer form
• Singing American popular song idiom with concert music technique
• Recognizing and executing sophisticated harmonic voicings