They Can't Take That Away From Me (arr. Gitika Partington): SATB Choral Octavo

Partington's take on this Gershwin classic strips away unnecessary complexity without sacrificing the tune's inherent sophistication. The arrangement sits comfortably in the voice, the harmonic language stays true to the jazz tradition, and at four pages it's lean enough to learn quickly but substantial enough to feel rewarding.

Nostalgic yet playful, with the kind of gentle resilience the lyric promises. The voice leading carries warmth and intimacy even in four-part harmony, and the jazz harmonies create moments of gentle tension that resolve with real grace.

This arrangement works well for developing choirs comfortable with jazz vocabulary and contemporary harmonic language. It's ideal for directors looking to program a standard that audiences know and musicians enjoy without needing extensive prior jazz experience.

• Nail the rhythmic precision in the swing figures; even slight hesitation in syncopated passages will flatten the groove. Work these sections independently before bringing parts together.
• Balance the melody line across voices so the tune remains clear through harmonic movement. Use weighted rehearsals to identify which voice carries the main phrase at each moment.
• Let the jazz harmony breathe. These chords deserve space and clarity; don't rush through sustained notes.
• Anchor your interpretation to a strong sense of swing pulse. A light, conversational articulation works better than heavy diction.

Position this as a bridge between your traditional repertoire and modern jazz selections. It works equally well as a second half opener or as part of a concert dedicated to American songbook standards, and pairs naturally with other Gershwin material if you're exploring a composer-focused program.

• Reading and performing swing rhythms and syncopation in choral context
• Navigating extended jazz harmonies (sevenths, ninths, altered chords)
• Balancing four-part texture to maintain melodic clarity through harmonic movement
• Sustaining legit vocal tone across jazz phrasing and contemporary harmonic language
• Responding to and interpreting the lyrical arc of a standard