They Say It's Wonderful: SATB Choral Octavo

Steve Zegree's arrangement captures the warmth and sophistication of this Berlin standard while remaining entirely singable for mixed ensembles. The six-page setting respects the song's inherent charm without overshadowing it, making this a smart choice for concerts that need a touch of vintage elegance without excessive complexity.

Nostalgic without being saccharine, this arrangement settles into the warmth of a classic love song with the kind of melodic inevitability that made Berlin's writing legendary. The harmonic support feels natural and unforced, letting singers experience what made this tune memorable enough to survive nearly a century.

SATB choirs at the high school through adult community level will find this accessible and immediately musical. It works equally well for concert programs that want a bridge between classical and popular repertoire.

• Balance the melodic line across sections so the tune emerges clearly; this song lives or dies on clarity of phrase, not volume.
• Shape the lyrics with conversational ease rather than theatrical grandeur. These words work best when they sound like genuine expression.
• Let the harmonic rhythm breathe naturally. Zegree's voicing likely supports the melody without pushing it, so trust the spacing and avoid over-blending.

This pairs beautifully on a concert that emphasizes American songbook standards, or use it as a palate cleanser between more demanding choral works. It's also an excellent choice for holiday concerts or spring pops programs where audiences expect familiar, well-crafted melodies.

• Balancing melody against inner voices in four-part writing
• Phrasing text naturally within a conventional song structure
• Blending vowels across sections while maintaining definition
• Historical awareness of American popular song standards