Too Darn Hot: SSA Choral Octavo

Mark Hayes brings Porter's sultry sophistication to an SSA setting without losing the snap and sizzle of the original. The clean jazz writing makes this accessible for treble choirs while the optional recorded accompaniment options let you deliver a genuinely Broadway-sounding performance even without a pit band. It's a rare piece that works equally well for building vocal maturity and bringing genuine excitement to a concert.

Sultry, confident, and irresistibly groove-oriented. From the first finger snap, this arrangement commands the room with the cool swagger of a classic Broadway nightclub act. The harmony is sophisticated enough to reward careful listening, yet the overall feel remains infectious and audience-friendly.

Treble choirs at the intermediate to advanced level who want to tackle legitimate jazz repertoire with Broadway credibility. This works for high school choirs, community ensembles, and select middle school groups with strong musicianship and rhythmic confidence.

• Lock the rhythm section and finger snaps together from the start; the sultry bass line only lands if the snap pattern is tight and consistent.
• Shape the melody with jazz phrasing rather than straight classical diction. Think conversational and slightly behind the beat in places.
• Balance the harmonies so the jazz voicings bloom without overwhelming the top line; this arrangement rewards careful blend work.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to nail the groove before rehearsing with just piano, so singers absorb the authentic swing feel.

Program this as a showstopper in a pops or cabaret-style concert, or use it to open a set of American songbook standards. The recorded accompaniment makes it an excellent choice for spring concert when rehearsal time grows limited but you want to deliver a polished, energetic performance.

• Jazz articulation and phrasing in a choral context
• Rhythmic precision and snap/percussion integration
• Singing jazz harmonies with blend and intonation
• Stylistic interpretation of Broadway-influenced arranging