They Say It's Wonderful: SAB Choral Octavo

Mark Brymer's SAB arrangement opens this Berlin standard to a broader range of choirs without compromising the song's warmth. The voicing sits comfortably across the ensemble, allowing singers to focus on the lyrical storytelling rather than wrestling with technical complexity. Programming a genuine Broadway standard signals to your audience that you value tunefulness and emotional authenticity alongside more contemporary choral fare.

Warm and reflective, with an understated sincerity that Berlin excelled at capturing. The melody unfolds naturally, inviting singers to bring genuine expression rather than technical display. There's an intimate quality to the arrangement; even in a full choir sound, the piece maintains a conversational, person-to-person feeling.

Any choir seeking a lyrical, well-crafted piece that sits comfortably in an SAB voicing. This works equally well for secondary choirs building confidence and for mixed ensembles in concert settings where a lighter touch serves the program.

• Shape each phrase with the text in mind. Berlin's lyrics tell a specific story, and your singers should feel the slight lift or settle that each thought demands.
• Balance the upper voices so the melody remains clear without forcing. This tune deserves to sing naturally, not dominate.
• Find the pulse early in rehearsal and then trust it. The accompaniment will support you once your ensemble feels grounded.

Pair this with other standards of comparable era to build a set celebrating American songwriting tradition. It also works beautifully as a palate cleanser between heavier contemporary works, reminding audiences of the beauty in straightforward melodic writing. Consider programming it in spring concerts or benefit performances where accessibility and emotional directness matter most.

• Sustaining legit, connected phrasing across longer phrases
• Balancing part independence within an ensemble texture
• Interpreting text-driven dynamics and expression
• Singing with diction clarity in a Broadway idiom