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

Kirby Shaw's arrangement honors Gershwin's harmonic sophistication while keeping the melody front and center, making this an ideal choice for choirs seeking repertoire that sounds polished and substantial without demanding extreme ranges. The recorded accompaniment lets you rehearse efficiently, and the song's cultural weight gives singers a real sense of interpretive ownership. Programming a Gershwin standard signals musical literacy to your audience and gives your singers material they genuinely want to sing.

Nostalgic and romantic, with an undercurrent of sophistication. The melody carries the warmth and directness of a classic American song, while the harmonies remind you that Gershwin was a serious musician. There's a bittersweet quality in the lyric that singers can tap into, making this more than just a pretty tune.

This octavo suits intermediate to advanced choirs looking for a repertoire staple with broad appeal. Singers at all levels recognize the tune, which builds confidence and engagement; the arrangement's musicality rewards serious rehearsal and yields a polished performance. Directors seeking a secular standard that plays well in concert or pops programs will find this a reliable choice.

• Balance the melody line against inner voices so the soaring quality of the tune remains the focal point throughout.
• Shape the phrasing in long arcs rather than line-by-line; Gershwin's melodies breathe like speech, not like hymns.
• Use the recorded accompaniment in early rehearsals to establish harmonic context quickly, then gradually reduce dependence on it as the choir internalizes the chords.
• Attend to diction clarity in faster passages so the lyrics remain conversational and connected to the song's emotional narrative.

Program this alongside other American songbook standards or as a centerpiece of a concert celebrating 20th-century popular song. It also works beautifully as an encore or as part of a pops set, where its charm and sophistication balance lighter fare. Pairing it with another Gershwin work or contrasting it with a darker contemporary piece creates engaging variety.

• Sustaining long melodic lines with consistent tone and intention
• Balancing melody and harmony in a rich harmonic context
• Singing with stylistic awareness of American songbook conventions
• Interpreting lyrics with emotional authenticity and diction clarity